Eddie Jones Advocates for England to Select Overseas Players

SPORTS

By: Lusia Pio

2/10/20251 min read

Former England head coach Eddie Jones has weighed in on the ongoing debate about whether England should allow players based abroad to be eligible for national selection.

Jones believes that as rugby becomes more professional, it is inevitable that England will need to follow the example of other sports, like football, and select players from overseas clubs.

Jones highlighted the case of Jack Willis, who has thrived in France but is currently ineligible to play for England due to the RFU's policy of only selecting players from the Gallagher Premiership.

He argues that allowing players to play abroad could benefit England, similar to how South Africa has benefited by scrapping their overseas policy.

This change has allowed South Africa's best players to be paid abroad while their domestic clubs focus on developing younger talent.

Jones believes that this shift is necessary for England to remain competitive on the international stage and that it is only a matter of time before this policy change occurs.