I must admit, I think I would turn down a chance to go to the RWC if someone paid me the sort of bucks that are being mentioned in the same breath as Hook. Imagine sitting in the dressing room, having just been knocked out at the quarter finals stage and thinking shit, I missed a chance there.

Even worst if we fail at the pool level

I guess we're nor far away from a time when a player will decide at quite an early age whether he wants to be an international or not thanks to the stupid money thrown up by some sides.

Club would win. Country will die. Grass roots would quickly follow.

Its inevitable

Rugby is following the footy way of things.

I certainly do not blame any young man who chooses financial security first and foremost.

I don't understand why anyone would not want to turn out for their country... I'd do it now, even though I'd be shit, if I was the best option they had available.

Lets face it if Hook went abroad he's such a special talent that Gats would still consider him as long as he was bright enough to get his contract sorted.

I think the problem Jase, is that players will start to see that the conditions being layed down by their country (i.e. play in Wales or else) as the one thing holding them back from very lucrative contracts, and security for life. There must come a point where their desire to play for Wales reaches breaking point.

It may well be that the WRU might have to relax their stance on playing overseas. The problem then would be a talent drain, thus weakening our already fragile regions. Its a tricky one.

If they don't want to play for their ccountry then sod 'em. There are plenty of players that do, and we don't need ones who aren't going to give it 100%. There are also plenty of lucrative contracts for Welsh players to be had in Wales, and you'd imagine the Ospreys will offer him a pretty good contract.

The play in Wales rule, is largly one made up by the press anyway, it doesn't tie in with what actually happens but helps the Western Mail shift more bird cage liners.

we're happy for someone to turn his back on a welsh region and innternational career to earn more money abroad, and yet we get upset when someone else tries to earn money that doesn't involve him representing that same region and country?

anyway, i don't see a problem with him playing in france. i can see people jumping up and down about the play in wales play for wales that usually gets miss quoted, but so far, the only real example people can come up with is powell and ryan over delve, which imo can be justified. not saying i think powell is better than delve, but it can be justified.

and if hook does leave the ospreys, he won't be blocking the devlopment of owen, beck, spratt etc (unless you think training with a high quality player helps your development in which case but that throws out the nwq argument).

think i need some coffee

You can't blame young players going for the big bucks !!! If he did go to France they might even play him in his prefered position. Make hay while the sun shines, rugby is not a long term prospect, you might get twelve years at the top !!!! then what ?????

I think a lot of people are underestimating the 'pull' of representing their country........in any sport.

Or we'd have a sensible season based on a split between international and supranational rugby.

A lot of people are underestimating the pull of a Welsh mother in law who has a new grandchild.

There's already a nice thread running on this:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=39751

Realistically he's not going anywhere before RWC 2011 anyway is he boys. His contract's up in May. But he'll be in Wales camp anyway next summer in pre RWC training. Even if he signed in May 2011 he wouldn't be joining a club til after the cup.

Personally I think he'd be crackers to turn down the kind of salary he'll be offered in France. Rugby's not a long career.
Gatland might not be Wales coach after RWC anyway - and is any new coach realistically going to ignore our best back just because he's on the other side of the channel? No!
If Hooky is wise he should have 2-3 years in the sunshine and French atmosphere, make mega bucks, learn everything about the game the French can teach him, and return to Wales a season before RWC 2015 and before his nipper starts school.
Parfait.




PS Mind you - he should ask to be paid in £ cos that € is dropping like a *Bar steward*. Anyone want to buy any?

i dont think gatland would be too heartbroke if james hook did goto france all gatland sees him as is as a utility back who can cover lots of positions