Joel tomkins asksto be omitted from England squad

A superb post on the Saints site from Mugwump. I never thought I would agree with any of his posts, but fair play to him.

Quote: Mugwump "I hardly think the Sunday Times is likely to include half-a-dozen league players in a list of promising players destined for the England RU side. It would be an embarrassment to the sport. As for them being put-off by recent signings - not likely. They had their fingers burned handing Farrell a gargantuan contract when he was a year either side of being shot. It didn't take them long to rectify the error. It takes time for any player to acclimatize to a new sport, which is why they (England RU - NOT the clubs) are now going exclusively for players age 19-22.

You've listed most of England's major targets over the past ten years. It should be said that just about all of them have been successful in some shape or form at club level and they (along with Henry Paul and other players from further back) warranted inclusion to the national team. Given the difficulties involved with switching to a foreign sport I'd say that's an excellent return which rather than putting them off league players is more than likely to further cement their desirability.

I think you're underestimating England's desperation for success and the colossal reserves of money these guys have at their disposal. The former (in the wake of England's crushing exit from the RWC) is now reaching unheard of levels and they will think nothing of blowing the best part of half a million on two or three players who stand no more than a modest chance of making the grade.

We can't use past history as a guide on this occasion as there is no precedent for where the RFU is going. They are getting stronger (financed by any number of international revenue streams) whilst League is mired in one of the worst hit regions of the worst hit nations in depression.

Even worse, the NRL is now so awash with money it can afford not only to tempt the best of the best SL players but those on the tier below. The extra cash in their system means we're struggling now to attract their third tier stars.'"