Wasps RU international trio James Haskell, Riki Flutey and Tom Palmer are set to leave and play for French RU clubs next season. Leeds Rhinos RL club’s bright prospect, Lee Smith, is believed to be about to switch codes and link up with former league great and assistant coach, Shaun Edwards, at Wasps.
So what?

Why is it that supporters of both codes of rugby get over excited and despair at the departure of any of their favourites? Why is it that administrators of both codes attempt or threaten to attempt to place barriers in the way of any player who, via a change of rugby direction, wishes to advance himself financially or merely seeks a change of scenery? Why is it that the media of either code of rugby attempt to portray the edifice of English Rugby Union or Rugby League as being about to crumble and collapse in the face of such ventures? It beats me! For anyone who considers the history of both rugby codes will know that such journeying to and fro by a handful of our leading players will have little effect on the domestic games of both.

Well over 100 Welsh International rugby union players have trekked North over the past 100 years and vast numbers of club players have joined them in switching codes. But have such “desertions” affected the progress of Wales and its affinity with rugby union? No. Did they not win the Six Nations’ Grand Slam less than twelve months ago? What effect on the Engage Super League and its clubs has the departure from rugby league of the likes of Andy Farrell, Henry Paul, Shontayne Hape, Lesley Vainikolo, Chris Ashton and company had on the 13 a side code in Britain? Very little when one considers that the 14 club Super League is being watched by its highest ever aggregate of crowds and is a far more competitive league than at any time in its short 14 years history. Though the influx of Australian and New Zealand RL Test stars might have undermined the fortunes of England at international level, the loss of talent Down Under has proved negligible, such are the numbers of youngsters ever willing to step into their boots and keep the Aussies and, lately, the Kiwis at the top of the pile.

Those Union stars who cross the Channel to play their rugby will be part of a trend which, like all others in sport, is cyclical and lasts as long as the money continues to be provided by the “sugar daddies” currently backing the likes of Toulon, Stade Francais and others. Movement within and to and from both codes of rugby can be good not only for the players themselves but for the two games as well. And, if left well alone, can often prove a positive influence in helping to furnish new, young, talent for the future.

Ray French