RL has a track record of paying young players peanuts. Much as I hate to see young players leave for the other code, in many cases (and I don't know the details of this one) you have to say you can't blame them. I don't think you can blame Farrell and Ford either.

Given the low salaries on offer generally in RL you wonder whether some young players don't even bother trying to make the grade and don't even make it through to academy level. I suppose if they have a go but realise there is more money in Union and leave for RU then we still might be able to get them back one day.

Big Les played for England RU too.
Thought Henry Paul went well at times too.

They all play for England at some point. I think Vainikolo's only impact was one game where he scored 5 tries.
And Henry Paul was a kicker tbf.

Perhaps we should have adopted that tactic.

If we'd persuaded Kenny and Meninga that they were English (with some financial assistance, of course), Maurice Bamford would have found himself with a Test-winning GB team overnight.

As far as I know Jones has at least played a bit of rugby union at school and for Preston Grasshoppers (though I may be wrong). Given what he's apparently earning compared to league, I'd be surprised if he's back by next year.

His old school is a football playing school, although they do have a link with Tarleton RUFC, he was at Saints from a young age. His experience of Union is minimal. Like Joel Tomkins and Sam Burgess he'll learn that playing centre in Union is more lucrative than it is interesting. He'll be back at Saints within a year, surrounded by family, and on an improved contract. He won't be short of offers because he's a more than decent RL player.