The Kolpak Ruling and Fijian Rugby players in Europe

At the end of yesterdays blog on Saint-Andre's comments about non-French players– I raised the question whether this will have any effect on the number of Fijian players in Europe. A comment from Vhavnal on the Facebook group Silktails Rugby needs to be highlighted. His comment was that there will be no effect on the number due to the Kolpak ruling. Let me explain.

Kolpak was a Slovakian handball player who was ejected by his German club in 2000 as they had filled their quota of two non-European Union players. Kolpak took this decision of the German Handball Association to the European Court of Justice arguing that as Slovakia had an  Association Agreement with the European Union, the quota limitation placed an illegal restriction on his freedom of movement as a worker.  The court agreed with Kolpak in what is now called the ‘Kolpak’ ruling.

This ruling declares that citizens of countries which have applicable Association Agreements with the EU, and who are lawfully working within an EU country, have equal rights to work as EU citizens, and cannot have restrictions such as quotas placed upon them. Such countries include those within the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of states, such as South Africa, Jamaica, Zimbabwe and Fiji.

The effect of this ruling on Fijian rugby players is at they will be regarded as European Union players and so do not affect the quota limitation of clubs that they play for. This will continue as long Fiji remains a member of the ACP and this body maintains an Association Agreement with EU.

Thanks Vhavnal.

Foreign players in Six nations since 2000

Reknowned Rugby historian and Rugby author John Griffiths answers this question on ESPNscrum.com - Since 2000, how many players of Tri-Nations or Fiji/Tonga/Samoa birth/heritage have played for each of the Six Nations?

Italy have used 26 players of Tri-Nations or Fiji/Tonga/Samoan birth/heritage and England 23. Ireland have called only seven and France have used only six, though this figure excludes those from French-speaking territories such as Wallis-and-Futuna (J Suta, R Taofifenua and C Tolofua) and New Caledonia (S Vahaamahina).

 2 Pacific Islanders have played for England, 1 for Wales and 1 for Italy.

Will France reduce the number of foreign players in Top 14?

With the recent poor performances of France in the Six Nations championship - even losing to Italy - questions are being asked. French coach Saint Andre blames the players under par performance to foreign players stifling local players especially in the Top 14.

Frances Top 14 has around 250 foreign players compared to only half of that in the English Premiership.

Below are excerpts from Philippe Saint-Andre's interview in the Daily Mail.

    'In the French league it's good to have foreign players but when you have too many of them, well... Jonathan Sexton has signed to play fly-half for Racing, Jonny Wilkinson is at Toulon, Luke McAlister at Toulouse, Felipe Contepomi at Stade Francais, Brock James at Clermont.

    'We need to be careful for the next 15-20 years of French rugby - the situation is similar to Premier League football in England.

    'The change was made in England when I was coaching Sale and English rugby seven years ago and they realised they needed to prioritise getting English players playing in the English league, perhaps to the detriment of the clubs' chances in the Heineken Cup.

    'You have 40 or 50 young English players ready for international games. At the moment we don't have 40 French players ready for internationals.'

    Bringing Wilkinson to Toulon was fantastic because of his professionalism and the way he trained,' continued Saint-Andre.

    'He pulled all the young players up with him. But if you have as first choice a foreigner, as second choice a foreigner and as third choice a foreigner, then it's very bad for our country.'

Will we see a reduction in Fijian Rugby players in France? This comment from Jamie Bruce of the Silktails Rugby group on Facebook.

Is the number of Fijians going to reduce in T14?

No, I don't think so.

Many Fijians starting to come through the ranks in T14 are now being bred by french academies. If I am correct the quota system in France (and Marc will correct if in wrong) expects (this has risen) now 60% of players to have been raised in French academies.

It is important to recognise talk of too many overseas players is down to France's poor start to the 6N. 2 lost games! A knee jerk reaction. As Richard Pool-Jones (manager Stade Francais) has said 'it's business as usual' remember France won their games in November and everyone thought they were brilliant. This is normal ups and downs.

What cannot be denied is in key positions such as fly-half, wing and tight head there are too many foreigners. 10 of the T14 clubs have overseas fly-halfs. up to 20 of 28 wingers on any weekend may be foreign (many fijian!!).

But is this likely to change? No. Firstly because there is such disharmony between the clubs and Les Bleus. The clubs are powerful. Financially doing very strongly and show no desire to become more subservient to the FFR. France are the only country whose players have to play club games during the 6N. Additionally they have less preparation time.

In the case of fly-halfs Grass roots needs to start producing them. Quotas is not enough. Culturally much revolves around 9 in France.

Lastly the other thing to remember about Fijians is they tend to be employed to play wing or less so at back row. Even if quotas rise or other rules are introduced there will always be a demand for chaps who can score tries. ie. wingers. And for some years now the French have recognised the best place to get those is from VITI!