Which Tyler wrote:Mikey Brown wrote:I’m just a bit baffled by your preoccupation with Scotland looking for poaches, I’m clearly being a bit defensive, but you’re aware absolutely everyone is doing this?
Out of interest - how many can you name from outside of Scotland, Wales, Italy?
So how many foreign players, playing in a foreign league, are being offered caps before the age of 21 and having not played rugby in the country in question (excepting as the visiting team). Sometimes despite having represented that foreign country in non-capped matches, and often-times been in wider training squads for that country.
I just think you're definition of "absolutely everyone" 3/10 of the top tier.
ETA: That's the same number as nations who refuse to cap anyone not playing domestically, who cannot possibly be included in "absolutely everybody".
Fair enough. I was talking more broadly about capping players who might not typically be recognised as a native of that country. I’m not saying every team is looking to cap a Tshizuna (sp) or Arundell before they’re necessarily ready, but wouldn’t view Dingwall or the like as in that category.
Obviously England don’t have the same pressure to look for these players abroad (I can only think of Shields who was brought over specifically for England caps, can’t remember what the deal was with Solomona/Francis) but they have a bunch of money and 12 premiership clubs drawing talent in. Jones spoke to Ashman didn’t he? Was Rodd capped because he was the best available loosehead in England at the time?
It just seems like an inevitable result of professionalism and teams like Scotland, Ireland, Wales having expectations on them to compete with England, France, SA’s player pools.
I don’t know what conversations have actually been had with Arundell, but from Scotland’s POV I don’t see why you wouldn’t enquire if he was interested, as a SQP. I don’t
like it, particularly, but claiming Scotland would rather poach than develop our own talent seems bizarre, as if a bunch more pro teams and funding could be easily thrown together.
Anyway, I’m sure this is beyond tedious for just about everyone. I regret posting that tweet and I’ve learned my lesson.