England Rugby manager Martin Johnson names three players for Six Nations
Martin Johnson, the manager of England Rugby squad has named three players for the Six Nations. Tom Palmer, Jonny Wilkinson and James Haskell are all French based English players. RFU chiefs are revitalizing themselves for yet another harsh dialogue with
French clubs over the issue of availability of England’s International players.
James Haskell, the professional flanker for England is playing for Stade Francais is in the middle of this tug of war, when Martin Johnson surprisingly refused to allow him to return to France on a blank weekend during the European Cup. The first development
in this matter will be in next two weeks when England’s training camp in Portugal will clash with the last round of French league matches. Further row with French clubs can cause two non test weeks in the current Championship.
Rob Andrews, the Elite Rugby Director has expressed his fear that all the three players will be pressurized by their clubs again. This will affect the performance of the English rugby stars, while Rob Andrew thinks they are not ready for another scrap. He
said, “They have all got big games and the French league play on the Thursday night that we are in Portugal. We are in dialogue with the French. Inevitably there are going to be issues that we are working through.”
How will the French clubs respond to these dialogues is yet to be seen, while RFU has been consistent with their policies since day one with French clubs and will not change their stance at all. England’s squad is expecting James, Tom and Jonny in the training
sessions to be held in Portugal.
Stade’s owner Max Guzzani accused Johnson and RFU for holding James Haskell as a prisoner. He said, “If Martin decides they can play for their clubs at any stage that is a decision Martin takes for the benefit of the individual player and the England team.
That is the top and bottom of it.”
Martin Johnson explained his position giving last year’s example. He said, “Last year it got played out very publicly and that put James in the spotlight. We have conversations, we don't always agree - that is the nature of it. These things go on all the
time, not just with French clubs.”
Courtney Lawes will remain in the English squad as Wilkinson Johnson’s knee is not as injured as first assumed. Johnson believes that Courtney and Tom both will get a chance of playing for England by the end of the tournament.
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