Should players play for their clubs between International matches?

Question

English players are contracted to the clubs who play their wages. Is it fair to ask them not to play their employees for the sake of the International stage?

If you owned a club who missed out on European qualification or got relegated, costing millions, would you lend your players?

Should contracts/agreements have been thrashed out at the start of the season to enable them to rest between six Nations matches

Answer 1

The domestic leagues should be structured around the international calender.

Answer 2

Yes they should pay for their clubs.  As you say its the clubs that pay their wages, through the fans and by not playing they are letting both club and fans down.

The England staff should be a shamed of themselves for trying to blackmail clubs into doing this.

Answer 3

I think it should be done in some way like football. Have International tournaments during breaks in seasons. It's unfair on the players to make them choose between club and country as whatever their decision there will be repercussions.

Answer 4

I think they should be able to if they want to if they aren't doing anything else at the moment

Answer 5

If players really want to represent their countries, it should be written in stone in their contracts... before any massive salary arrangements are agreed.

If they aren't bothered about playing for their country... they can opt out of the International clause... and perhaps command a higher salary from their clubs for not involving themselves at national level.

That way we only get the players who really want to play for their countries, and not bankrupting FIFA in ridiculous profit sharing or claims against FIFA for players being injured whilst on duty.

As for Rugby... I don't care.

Answer 6

Tough question..........The Celtic League is useless because of the lack of international players who are either being rested or playing an international

The Guiness Premiership is going to have a similiar problem soon

The Guiness premiership season should be shortened to accomadate the heineken cup and international events

The other cup(s) in which premiership clubs and welsh clubs participate is just ridiculous

Answer 7

I think that all teams should work under the same rules that way everyone is equal and cannot complain if they lose that they had to play a match without haveing much of a break or without training with the national squad.

Answer 8

Depends who pays the bulk of their wages.

Answer 9

They should play for their clubs. After alll the clubs pay.

Personally I feel that "professionalism" is spoiling both codes of rugby and is up to the leagues to postpone the matches rather than appealing for an altruistic gesture from a club.

Answer 10

The thing that makes it a bit unfair is that different countries have completely different systems.  So in Ireland, the players are contracted centrally, so the clubs don't have any control over whether players are available.  Similarly in Wales, the Welsh coach was able to decide which players were eligible for selection with their clubs this weekend.

It works both ways, really... I can see it from the English clubs' points of view, as it makes life difficult for them if key players are out of action for a couple of months at a crucial part of the season.  So that encourages them to sign overseas players, which doesn't really do much for the future of English rugby... it's a difficult one!

Answer 11

In my views, no they shouldn't play for their clubs between International matches as their chances of getting injured rises. It is true that the clubs do pay for their valuable services but everything comes down to National Pride. If you are a true patriot you will do anything for your country. For some clubs who have extra gifted players like the Canterbury Crusaders of New Zealand. They have in total 5 impact players who are in the so called "protected 22" but they are still managing to win matches. They may be not at full force but these times give chances for the other players to shine.

Answer 12

During the six nations all the England squad should be kept together, injuries are always a threat while playing and training for country so why add to the risk by playing for the clubs, this should go for all the countries taking part not just England