Quote:Eif Jones
Its the cheek of the RFU that stands out in the article.
Quote:HungryLikeTheWolf
I don’t think I’m against scholarships for kids from less privileged backgrounds.
Quote:Neil-HQuote:HungryLikeTheWolf
I don’t think I’m against scholarships for kids from less privileged backgrounds.
My mates eldest is up for a scholarship for Bedford school through rugby and youngest is likely to as well, whatever you think bout private/public schools, it will do tem good if they get in
Quote:TringSaint
i have no issue with having foreign players in the national squad via long term residency, etc, but this is all getting a bit sill now.
Both France and england have huge pools of players to select from (wales, scotland and ireland less so, but still more than NZ!), yet they strive to build around those that they can grab from elsewhere - what does it say for the non-Polynesian players out there in academies when they see some lad coming into the side on a scholarship and financial backing just because of their heritage - that sounds like they are developing / selecting on ethnicity which is totally out of order imho.
there are really good young rugby players from all over the world who given the right coaching can become world class, so maybe we need to start looking for those traits in our academies, irrespective of the player's heritage, rather than pinning our hopes on someone becoming stellar just because of where they come from.
Quote:TringSaint
why not have the club support 'in school' rugby training during the week as well as weekends - that way the kids get up to speed faster and become better players.
Quote:Eif Jones
Neil-H, the RFU complain about other countries apparently stealing their players when they are busy doing it themselves, does that not count as cheeky. I have no issue about the English academy programs but don't decry similar programs in the other UK countries. At present, I suspect the Scarlets are much more satisfied with theirs than most of the English clubs. It does help to have such a large player base for England to do well at U20. Incidentally, its not just Polynesians who are attracted by scholarships to the likes of Hartbury and Millfield, the great Gareth Edwards had his near free time at Millfield.
Quote:Casual SaintQuote:TringSaint
why not have the club support 'in school' rugby training during the week as well as weekends - that way the kids get up to speed faster and become better players.
This already happens - the RFU has a scheme whereby the Northampton schools are linked to a local club. The local club provides in school coaching support as well as a destination for the lads who want to play on a Sunday. As with all things school related thought, time and resources are limited so the level of engagement of schools in the process is mixed.