Well his hands would have been tied a little in that respect.

Part of the draw to Union was representing England and they have the arrogant ruling of if you don't play in England you don't play for England.

Quite correct and he might need a bolt hole just for a year before returning to Australia?

it isn't arrogant its a good idea....

Imagine if we could pay our International players a fortune for playing for England, and imagine if the international selection was the peak of a players career and that was their career goal ....?

We would have James Graham, all three Burgess brothers, Gareth Widdop, Mike Cooper and Jack Reed all playing in Superleague.

we don't... it isn't..... and they're not...... and our comp is poorer for it.

Don't the Aussies have a similar idea by not picking players based in SL ? No wonder we don't get any Aussie superstars over here.

Whilst I agree with the general theme of your post, that it would be great to be able to tempt/keep the best players here, there is a major difference in how elite players are played and paid between the two codes and the significance given to club v international rugby.

Sure it's not quite as bad as cricket where 'Lancashire's' Jimmy Anderson plays virtually all of his cricket for England, but, in RU the international team is the one that the whole sport is geared up for and generates the cash to boot if you pardon the pun. If England had gone further how many games would a Mike Brown have played for Harlequins this year, not many, if any?

I'm not a real follower, but, Sale always seem to pick up when the 6 Nations is on, whilst the top teams lose most of their playing staff, is that good for the comp?

It will be a long haul to turn 'our' fortunes around, especially with only three competitive international teams. A regular calendar of competitions and tours would be a start and I would love the WCC to become a 'Champions League' type club competition with real prize money and prestige, instead of some half baked notion when there seems to be no strict understanding of the qualification, sorry invitation process and a need for the participating club to fork out a bond to cover the cost of a game against anyone from the southern hemisphere that can be bothered to interrupt their pre season

Sam has left Bath and is rejoining Souths according to the BBC

Just got it on the main news text, leaves with immediate effect can't say I blame him.

I thought he was going to Leeds to join up with Darryl Clark. ...? ? ? ?

Does immediate effect mean we'll see him play the last game against NZ?

Leeds declaring their interest in signing Sam Burgess is like me declaring my interest in a romantic weekend with Rachel Riley.

Both are not happening anytime soon.