Quote: Fatbelly "The talent drain to RU has thankfully not been significant over recent years, perhaps that is because when choosing a code to follow the youngsters have already made their minds up that RU is where the money is so we don't even see some of the talented kids in RL, because they have already made their career choices which are driven by the higher earnings potential in RU.'"
Interesting point this about kids maximising their earnings. Back in the days of amateur rugby union and big name defections in our direction I know of talented RL players who were advised to play rugby union so that they could get the big pay-day when they "gave up amateurism" and signed for rugby league.
I would imagine now that Eastmond will be next year the highest paid 21 year old in the Guiness Premiership. If you are a similar age product of Bath's academy working his way through the system how would you feel about earning a quarter or less than Eastmond is. As a talented kid would you be better off playing league at junior level with the intent of cashing in by going to union in your early twenties?
Perhaps we need to be marketing ourself on this basis. So what if some of the kids do then go to union, there will be others who may stick with league either through choice or lack of union interest.
