Courtney Lawes and Ellis Genge call for change to England’s overseas player policy: ‘I don’t think it’s fair’

Ellis Genge and Courtney Lawes have called for the restriction on England picking overseas-based players to be lifted.

The former England captains believe that internationals who have accumulated a certain number of caps should still be available for selection even if they are competing for clubs in France.

It is the first time that senior England players have spoken out against the Rugby Football Union’s rule designed to protect the Gallagher Prem and give head coach Steve Borthwick greater control over his stars.

Genge captained England as recently as last autumn and remains a mainstay of their front row while 105-cap Lawes recently returned from a two-year spell in the Top 14 and is back on Borthwick’s radar ahead of next month’s Nations Championship.

“I know in Wales they do the 25-cap thing,” Lawes told The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast, referencing the scope for Wales to select anyone based outside the country if they have made 25 or more international appearances.

“It’s not a terrible idea because then you can keep your young players if they want to be part of the England team and once they’ve cut their teeth and earned their stripes, you’ve got the opportunity to go elsewhere and still play for your country.

“I think that might not be a terrible compromise.”

Genge revealed that he has spoken to RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney about a contentious rule that has attracted widespread criticism but has yet to be convinced over why it is necessary.

The British and Irish Lions prop, who has 83 caps, has played all of his club rugby at Leicester and Bristol but uses the example of football stars Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane to illustrate why a move overseas can be beneficial.

“I don’t think it’s fair to say ‘you aren’t allowed to do it’,” Genge said. “It’s a sick experience and the stuff that comes with it is incredible as well.

“If you look at football, Jude Bellingham going over to the other leagues – look how much better he got – and Harry Kane, the captain of the country now playing in Germany – experience of different leagues brings out the best in players.

“I don’t think you can just put people into a box and say ‘no, you must do this because we want the product to be better, ultimately’.

“I sort of agree with what Courts has said. If you had a cap rule where you do, say 50 or 60 caps, so if you’re involved in the English international game and you have 60 caps and then you go to France.

“You’ve obviously proved your worth, right? They know what you’re about, they know you well and they trust you to go over there and play.

“That then opens up a door for a younger loosehead, for example, to come in and play every single week in the Prem and push me or whoever it is that goes over there.”

Jack and Tom Willis, Dave Ribbans, Kyle Sinckler, Manu Tuilagi, Jonny Hill and Billy Vunipola are among the England players currently performing in the Top 14.

PA