Nick Abendanon has challenge the Rugby Football Union’s policy of allowing only home-based players to represent England, claiming it is depriving the national team of top-level talent.
Abendanon is one of those to suffer from the policy having joined Clermont Auvergne this season from Bath. However, the full-back has enjoyed an excellent debut campaign with the French club, so much so that he was named European player of the year on Tuesday.
Another to suffer as a result of the policy is Steffon Armitage, who has excelled for Toulon ever since joining them from London Irish in 2011 and was part of the team that beat Clermont in the European Champions Cup final at the weekend.
Both players would be certainties for England’s World Cup squad were they still based at home.
“Having that rule in place restricts players from playing at the top level,” Abendanon told BBC Radio 5 Live. “You’re playing with the best players in the world and coming [to France] has made me a better player and better person.
“I know exactly why the RFU has that policy in place and I don’t expect it to change – but I have changed my mind on it since moving out here.”
Richard Cockerill, Leicester’s director of rugby, has called on the RFU and England head coach Stuart Lancaster to stick to their guns, claiming a reversal of the selection policy “would be hugely damaging to the Premiership”.
“I played for 10 years in England and came out to France because I thought my international career was over. I’m sure Steffon felt the same,” added Abendanon. “Playing in France has rejuvenated our games and whether we get rewarded for that is up to Stuart.”
