Nick Easter: Absolutely crazy! RFU eligibility rules are madness and must go…

Columnists

Nick Easter calls for the RFU to scrap its overseas eligibility rules, arguing England should be free to select their best players wherever they play their club rugby. He also weighs in on the Henry Pollock selection debate and England’s attacking progress and discipline.

Jack Willis in action for Toulouse.

Nick Easter – Former England and Harlequins No.8

The RFU’s eligibility rules are absolutely crazy. In this day and age, I cannot understand how England can knowingly prevent themselves from selecting some of their best players simply because they are playing club rugby overseas.
I understood the argument for it for a while. There was a desire to protect and grow the domestic game, keep the best English players in the Premiership and make sure the clubs retained their stars.
But the game has moved on.
International rugby is the biggest stage in the sport and England should be able to select...