RWC 2023 : Wales Squad 1.0
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You could go on to break records at RWC. Highest number of caps in a starting XV and oldest starting XV. It would be something of an indictment though.
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And just noticed. Henry Thomas. England reject playing for a French club. This is what I despise about the eligibility rules. I don’t blame Thomas, or Gatland for that matter (apart from thinking Thomas is not a good pick), they’re only playing to the rules. But those rules suck.
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@Catogrande said in RWC 2023 : Wales Squad 1.0:
And just noticed. Henry Thomas. England reject playing for a French club. This is what I despise about the eligibility rules. I don’t blame Thomas, or Gatland for that matter (apart from thinking Thomas is not a good pick), they’re only playing to the rules. But those rules suck.
If he plays overseas at least he’ll still be able to phone home
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@MN5 said in RWC 2023 : Wales Squad 1.0:
@Catogrande said in RWC 2023 : Wales Squad 1.0:
And just noticed. Henry Thomas. England reject playing for a French club. This is what I despise about the eligibility rules. I don’t blame Thomas, or Gatland for that matter (apart from thinking Thomas is not a good pick), they’re only playing to the rules. But those rules suck.
If he plays overseas at least he’ll still be able to phone home
Well played
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I just read Joe Hawkins' statement on his non-inclusion
it's pretty fucking strong. His contract at Exeter is his first professional contract? The tight fluffybunnies had him on a development contract despite being a first team regular and then a test player? I would tell them to jam it as well.
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It’s that sort of stuff the Welsh boys were kicking off about during the 6N and I don’t blame them one bit. Not sure where blame lies, regions or WRU but as the Union is in charge and holds the purse strings I’d be looking at them first.
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@mariner4life said in RWC 2023 : Wales Squad 1.0:
I just read Joe Hawkins' statement on his non-inclusion
it's pretty fucking strong. His contract at Exeter is his first professional contract? The tight fluffybunnies had him on a development contract despite being a first team regular and then a test player? I would tell them to jam it as well.
I don’t know who’s advising / representing Hawkins, but they need their heads read
He was on a development contract because he was a development player who through talent, hard work, and a bit of luck got an opportunity at the highest level very early in his career
He took it with both hands to be fair
He / his agent obviously didn't provide a compelling enough argument to renegotiate his status / gain his 'first professional' contract in Wales
I think he's blowing a massive short term opportunity which will have massive ramifications long term
Make RWC squad
Even if he's unemployed at club level, he'll be paid by Wales for his RWC efforts
Lose to Australia
Beat Georgia, Fiji, PortugalThen it’s a QF against England or possibly Argentina
Eminently winnable
It’s about who’s left standing at that stageWin that, and it’s an appearance in a SF of the RWC ffs
That will put more money on his contract than signing to Exeter now
And I don't want to jinx him, but he may well be done by the 2027 version
Well written press statement though
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@MiketheSnow You make a good argument mate but i'd be thinking more about the uncertainty of what is or isn't on offer in Wales atm. I don't know if Hawkins has made the best decision or not but either way it is a long way from being clear cut.
No contract + injury = fucked, springs to mind.
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@Catogrande said in RWC 2023 : Wales Squad 1.0:
@MiketheSnow You make a good argument mate but i'd be thinking more about the uncertainty of what is or isn't on offer in Wales atm. I don't know if Hawkins has made the best decision or not but either way it is a long way from being clear cut.
No contract + injury = fucked, springs to mind.
True
That's an ever present risk in professional sports
He'd be at least contracted to / insured by the WRU for the duration of the RWC campaign
Post RWC he walk into a club on arguably better financial terms
His biggest value to Exeter is he's not going to be missing during the international windows
But that would be the case post-RWC too
One of the things which doesn't get talked about enough is player insurance
Heard too many stories of boys not paying enough premiums and being fucked if they become injured / have to finish the sport
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I'm not sure how feasible individual insurance would be for these guys. Going back to my days working in risk the issues with income replacement would be the work undertaken - ie how likely is an injury going to be and what are the potential consequences of an injury. For a rugby player the answers would be high and high. Add to that the payout would be linked to immediate pre-injury earnings and dictated by the length of contract, then for someone like Hawkins there would be no real safety net. Group risk - ie employer sponsored for the squad as a whole is much more feasible as the risk is spread - not everyone is going to get a career threatening injury. However this would again be limited to paying out the contract. A short term contract or no contract at all represents a huge risk for the individual. Less so for the club/region.
