There has been a distinct lack of concern about the formation of a new rebel league in the corridors of power of English rugby. No reactionary statements, no emergency meetings with players, no internal reviews.
Perhaps they will live to regret seeing it as a short-term comet that will heat up before quickly fizzling out.
However, it has at least triggered some introspective thinking, prompting conversations about a new ‘super-draft’ concept that could provide a shot in the arm to England’s club game.
The rough idea is to sign up 10 to 20 box-office stars – one or two players per club – on privately-funded contracts and assign them through an NFL-style selection draft before each campaign.
With investor-backing, it could help attract star internationals back to the Premiership, which in recent years has lost some of its biggest names to the French and Japanese leagues.
As well as established names in union, it could also open the door to tapping into the best English talent in rugby league.
With investor-backing, a cross-code ‘super draft’ could help attract star internationals back to the Premiership
Rugby’s scouting networks have been on red alert since Joseph Sua’ali’i, the 21-year-old Wallaby, blew the code-switching conversation wide open
Rugby Confidential asked Martin Gleeson – the former England coach who is now with Warrington Wolves – to pick out the English league stars best equipped to switch codes
Rugby’s scouting networks have been on red alert since Joseph Sua’ali’i, the 21-year-old Wallaby, blew the code-switching conversation wide open with his man-of-the-match debut against England last week.
With England on a run of five consecutive defeats, they look like a team that could do with some additional fire power to turn them into heavyweight contenders.
Could a super draft help find the next hidden gems? Rugby Confidential asked Martin Gleeson – the former England coach who is now with Warrington Wolves – to pick out the English league stars best equipped to switch codes.
Herbie Farnworth
An all-rounder, Farnworth was part of the Manchester United youth academy and was sent free boots by Man City. His uncle was a famous talent scout for Wigan Warriors and convinced him to move to Australia as a teenager to pursue a career in league.
Farnworth was named in the 2024 NRL Dream Team, ahead of Sua’ali’i, thanks to his barn-storming performances in the Dolphins midfield.
‘He’d probably be first on the list,’ said Gleeson. ‘He’s 6ft 3in, 15st, can move, can offload. He’s not a Polynesian guy but he’s in that mould. Big, athletic, skills, footwork.
‘He’d be perfect at 12 for England. He’s a freak. He’d have to learn the game but has he got the skillset to be England’s version of Sua’ali’i? 100%.
Farnworth was named in the 2024 NRL Dream Team, ahead of Sua’ali’i, thanks to his barn-storming performances in the Dolphins midfield
Having scored 20 tries in 22 appearances for the Sydney Roosters, Dom Young’s name has already landed in Steve Borthwick’s in-tray
‘England don’t have a tall, rangy midfielder with that offloading ability and that’s what he could be.’
Dom Young
Having scored 20 tries in 22 appearances for the Sydney Roosters, Dom Young’s name has already landed in Steve Borthwick’s in-tray.
At 6ft 7in, the 23-year-old, born in Dewsbury, is bigger than any wingers playing in the Premiership. His agent has revealed he would be open to switching codes and Gleeson believes he would be a shrewd recruit.
‘If you look at the guys who have done well at switching over, it’s the outside backs,’ said Gleeson. ‘In league, the outside backs and the wingers are generally a bit bigger because they have to be ready to get banged around a bit.
‘Guys like Sua’ali’i, Israel Folau, Sonny Bill Williams. Your outside backs in union don’t have to run into brick walls so they tend not to have that profile.
‘Dom Young is a big human. Speed and brute power. England would do well to get hold of him.’
George Williams
As skipper of England’s national team, Williams is an obvious candidate. He is 30 years old and could have his head turned by a new challenge.
He was on Eddie Jones’ radar during his time as England coach and the club contracts on offer in the Premiership are worth more than those in Super League.
As skipper of England’s national team, Williams is an obvious candidate. He is 30 years old and could have his head turned by a new challenge
Gleeson believes Kai Pearce-Paul (left) has the size to transfer as a big-hitting inside centre
Part of this year’s all-conquering Wigan team, Jake Wardle (right) has earned comparisons with former players who have made the switch
‘George is the England captain and he loves chatting about union,’ said Gleeson. ‘Maybe he’d be a full-back. He’s got all the requisite skills.’
Kai Pearce-Paul
His elder brother, Kameron, was a part of the Saracens academy. Pearce-Paul still plays his rugby in London, as a second row, but Gleeson believes he has the size to transfer over as a big-hitting inside centre.
One issue Gleeson raised is a lack of union scouts at league club games. ‘I’ve never seen any union scouts down at a match but I talked to Eddie about it a few times, looking at different players. It’s about how to solve that problem of how you replace Manu Tuilagi, essentially.’
Jake Wardle
Part of this year’s all-conquering Wigan team, Jake Wardle has earned comparisons with former players who have made the switch.
‘He’s strong and fast,’ said Gleeson. ‘He’s a bit smaller but he’s got all the little intricacies; a bit of that classy Henry Paul footwork.’
When Eddie met Ange
Eddie Jones and his coaching team enjoyed a visit to meet Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham’s training ground on Monday.
Jones, who was born in Sydney, is friends with the Australian football manager.
Eddie Jones and his coaching team enjoyed a visit to meet Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham’s training ground on Monday
Former England hooker Tom Youngs was part of the ‘tractor tax’ march in London yesterday
The Japan coach has a history of tapping into experts from other sports, having invited the likes of Gareth Southgate and Mikel Arteta to Pennyhill Park during his days with England.
Front row at the march
Former England hooker Tom Youngs was part of the ‘tractor tax’ march in London yesterday.
Since retiring from rugby in 2021, the hooker has returned to Norfolk to work on the family farm.
He joined the likes of Jeremy Clarkson in the protest against changes to inheritance tax on farmers.
O’Gara is not for turning
Irishman Ronan O’Gara is understood to be out of the running to coach Wales if Warren Gatland leaves his post at the end of the autumn series.
Gatland’s position is under threat after 11 consecutive defeats but O’Gara, who is regarded as one of the most sought-after young coaches in the game, is settled in his position at two-time European champions La Rochelle.
Irishman Ronan O’Gara is understood to be out of the running to coach Wales
Rassie Erasmus and his team of unstoppable South African giants have been sharing accommodation with the Icelandic football team, who lost 4-1 to Wales
A warm Icelandic welcome
The Springboks have enjoyed some unfamiliar sporting company at their hotel in Cardiff Bay this week.
Rassie Erasmus and his team of unstoppable South African giants have been sharing accommodation with the Icelandic football team, who were in town to play Wales in their Nations League fixture.
They should fare better in the Welsh capital than their temporary neighbours, however – Iceland were thumped 4-1.
Fin’s Paddington verdict
The Springbok front-row are not the only wild beasts Fin Baxter has encountered this week.
The England prop recovered from Saturday’s defeat by with a trip to the cinema to see the new Paddington in Peru movie.
‘It’s the third best Paddington film but I still really liked it,’ said Baxter. ‘I thought Olivia Coleman was awesome. The first one is still the best!’
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