It’s not uncommon for the world’s various top flight leagues to see quality talent steadily flow in and out, but the Premiership – the top level of rugby in England – is about to see a mass exodus of players to rival leagues.
Leaving the Premiership are a number of individuals who between them have amassed over 1,600 appearances in the league as well as 300 international caps and a number of British and Irish Lions tours. The English top flight is haemorrhaging talent this summer in a sign of things to come.
Some say this is down to the reduction in the salary cap, others suggest there’s a shift towards players wanting to experience new leagues. But it is an issue nonetheless – so much so that City A.M. has drawn up a ‘Leaving the Premiership XV’ to illustrate the point.
Who makes the Leaving the Premiership XV?
Bar loosehead prop – where 20-appearance Robin “Bomber” Hislop, once of Wasps and now of Saracens, is flying north of the border to Edinburgh – there are club and Premiership stalwarts in every position either confirmed or tipped to be swapping English rugby for pastures new.
Joining Hislop in the front row of the fantasy XV are England duo Luke Cowan-Dickie and Harry Williams.
The departure of No8 Zach Mercer from Montpellier has seemingly kickstarted a recruitment drive from the French club’s owner, Mohed Altrad, of Premiership talent.
British and Irish Lion Cowan-Dickie and fellow Exeter Chiefs scrummager
…. to be continued
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