While several English clubs are experiencing financial difficulties, the second or third line international Courtney Lawes on Thursday encouraged young players to think about their financial future above all, even if it means signing abroad and no longer being selectable.
After Worcester and Wasps who were unable to finish the season due to excessive debt, London Irish players have not been paid for the month of April and the game against Exeter on Saturday is uncertain . In this context and despite the rule which prohibits an English player playing abroad from being selected for the XV de la Rose, except in exceptional circumstances, Lawes advised his young partners to have no qualms about favoring the financial aspect.
“I fully understand that, if the offers are much better in another country or in another team, this choice must be made”, explained during a press conference the 34-year-old player (97 caps), who recently extended with his lifelong club, Northampton. “It’s a limited career and it’s important to think about yourself, because when it stops, the money will stop too. ‘Do what’s best for you’ would be my advice to young guys,” he said.
Internationals have already taken the plunge for next year. Jack Nowell, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Sam Simmonds, from Exeter, will join La Rochelle for the first and Montpellier for the other two, Joe Marchant will arrive at the Stade Français from Harlequins and David Ribbans, Lawes’ teammate at Northampton, will evolve in Toulon. But, if no solution is found, it is to be feared that the movement will accelerate after the World Cup in France.
“It’s just so disappointing to see where we are. About five years ago, we were probably the fastest growing sport in the country,” he said. “We’re going to have to find people who understand how to make this sport a real business so that it continues to develop and that the players are financially rewarded for all that they inflict on themselves. And so that the supporters get their money’s worth in terms of the quality of the game,” he continued.
“The union and Premiership Rugby (championship organizer) must come together to find a way to make it work or the championship will suffer,” he concluded.
