French rugby union clubs to place limit foreign players

[travelling_gerry]

From correspondents in Paris, France
April 03, 2009

French rugby union clubs will place limits on the number of overseas players making a lucrative living in their national championships.

The French National Rugby League (LNR) wants to ensure that at least 50 per cent of squads are homegrown players in 2010-2011, rising to 70 per cent the season after.

“We have adopted a ruling that would allow 70 percent of players to be homegrown from 2011 and also allows the championship to remain open to the talents of the entire world,'' said LNR president Pierre-Yves Revol.

"This measure will also meet the interests of the French national team.''

It was also agreed that a salary cap would be introduced in the top two divisions.
Overseas players currently on contracts in France include Sonny Bill Williams, All Black Dan Carter, England fly-half Riki Flutey and former St George Illawarra centre Mark Gasnier.



Agence France-Presse


http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html

[Garfiep]

Opportunities await!

[Burgs]

That should put some good back pressure on SH player exodus I believe.
Now for England to grow some balls and bring in something similar.

[jargan83]

what kind of percentage do the foreign players represent at the moment in France?

[Flamethrower]

From reading that article I'd say over 50%.

[jargan83]

just having a look some squads are bigger then others?

[jauzy19]

what kind of percentage do the foreign players represent at the moment in France?

45% exactly.

[Flamethrower]

What's the point of the 2010-11 target if they are already under it???

[James]

What's the point of the 2010-11 target if they are already under it???

They have 45% of players French and they want another 5% up to 50% French. Makes sense. Great for us and the prospect of a Melbourne franchise- if the French are shedding overseas players maybe we'll get a handful who will come home.

[jono]

i'm not so sure, there are other high paying leauges in asia. and american rugby only seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

[Flamethrower]

I read it the other way around.

45% foreign players.

[jargan83]

the squads I looked at this arvo would back that up
Posted via Mobile Device

[jauzy19]

I read it the other way around.

45% foreign players.

It's 45% of foreign players indeed.

But some clubs (Brive, Toulon, Racing) have 60 or 70% of foreign players at the moment so for them il will be difficult in 2010/2011 (50/50) and especially in 2011/2012 (70% frenchies / 30% foreigners).

[Thequeerone]

It's 45% of foreign players indeed.

But some clubs (Brive, Toulon, Racing) have 60 or 70% of foreign players at the moment so for them il will be difficult in 2010/2011 (50/50) and especially in 2011/2012 (70% frenchies / 30% foreigners).

Only applies to the top 2 divisions - the way Toulon have preformed of late shouldn't be a problem

[shasta]

It's 45% of foreign players indeed.

But some clubs (Brive, Toulon, Racing) have 60 or 70% of foreign players at the moment .

So it may level the playing field a bit for the not-so-rich clubs. Hopefully there will not be a "trickle down " effect with SH players simply filling 50% of the rosters of those clubs rather than heading home.