Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter has stated that England's rules, which stipulate that only home-based players can be selected for the national team, are the correct approach for the domestic game. This comes after former England forward Courtney Lawes called for overseas-based players to be eligible for selection.
Lawes, 37, who has earned 105 England caps, returned to the Premiership this summer with Sale after two years at French side Brive, during which he was ineligible to represent his country. Under England's current selection policy, players from overseas clubs can only be called up in exceptional circumstances.
Baxter emphasised the importance of maintaining the current rules, telling BBC Sport, "I just don't think, for the good of the English game, you can do it." He argued that the policy helps build Premiership Rugby as part of developing the England team, providing a reason for top English players to remain in the country.
The existing rules mean that players such as Toulouse back row Jack Willis, voted the best player in France in 2024-25, along with Kyle Sinckler, Manu Tuilagi, Billy Vunipola, Lewis Ludlam, and former Exeter star Sam Simmonds, are currently unable to be called upon by England. Premiership clubs also receive central payments from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) for their England players, giving the national side more influence over their management.