"Senior global rugby figures believe the rebel R360 venture is all but dead unless it can find a way to appease the world's top nations. In a dramatic move the leading unions collectively made clear this week that players involved in the R360 competition would be ineligible for their national sides and have warned them to treat offers with extreme caution."
"Fin Smith, the Northampton and England fly-half who signed a new club contract last week, said he sympathised with players nearing the end of their careers who may have been tempted by the money on offer, but he said it was never an option for him. [My agent] knew my priority was to stay in England and give myself a chance to play for my country and hopefully go to a World Cup, he said."
Leading national unions have warned that players who join the rebel R360 competition would be ineligible for their national sides and have urged extreme caution. The International Rugby Players Association is not supporting R360 or any contracts offered to its members. R360 has not yet been sanctioned by World Rugby and its application will not be heard until at least next June. Some pre-contract agreements reportedly have deadlines that have expired or are approaching. The venture, fronted by Mike Tindall, risks failing if top male and female players must forfeit international futures. Fin Smith signed a new club deal and prioritised staying in England to preserve national selection.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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