GUSTARD FIRES SARRIES WARNING
Skip Six Nations and you retire from England duty, says Quins coach
Paul Gustard claims saracens’ players would effectively ‘retire’ from international rugby if they declare themselves unavailable for the six Nations.
Concerns have been raised by England coach Eddie Jones that stars such as Owen Farrell could choose club over country to help sarries fight relegation.
saracens accepted a 35-point penalty and £5.36million fine for breaching the salary cap — they have also been fined an unspecified amount by European Professional Club rugby for not turning up for the Heinken Champions Cup launch event on the day the sanctions were made public.
But Gustard does not expect players to compromise their test futures by snubbing the national team. ‘It’s a big thing to say, “I’m not going to play in the six Nations because of something that a club has done” — or for a club to ask you to,’ said Gustard, who was England’s defence coach before becoming Harlequins’ head of rugby 18 months ago.
‘It’s a big thing to ask a player not to play international rugby.
‘If they choose to retire from international rugby, which is effectively what they’d have to do to not make themselves available to play for England, whether or not they’d be able to come back remains to be seen.
‘I think saracens are strong enough with good characters, good coaching staff, exceptional players to find a way through it.’ there have also been suggestions of tension between players from saracens and rival clubs.
But Quins prop Joe Marler played down concerns of a rift in the England camp. Marler was part of the squad who reached the World Cup final and does not expect a no- show from the saracens contingent next year.
‘You come in with the national side, put your club hat to one side and you all buy into playing for England,’ said Marler. ‘If I go back into the group, there might be a little bit more banter.
‘I’ve given them a bit about it over the last four or five years.
‘they’ve teased me about my hair, how bad we’ve been here in the past, my breath, my wonky nose. It’ll be put to one side. I don’t think any bridges will need to be built there.
‘We’ve got to play for England. We’ve got a task to try to win the six Nations. Why would I get caught up about constantly going on about the differences there? It has been dealt with.
‘From a specific sarries point of view, I would be surprised if boys did choose to play for their club, based on sarries having a strong enough and big enough squad to cope. But it is a choice, there is always a choice and it is up to the players to choose whether to play for their club or their country.’ Marler came out of retirement to play at the World Cup and will play for Harlequins on saturday for the first time since the final.
Jones has since admitted that Marler should have started that game to help nullify south africa’s scrum. and Marler, 29, says he will continue playing for the national side if selected.
‘as it stands, if I’m picked, I’m picked,’ said Marler. ‘I’ll turn up and enjoy myself again.
‘I came in and gave it my all. I’m gutted we fell short in the final but what we did as a group and the memories we created there, I had a brilliant time.’
NEW Wales head coach Wayne Pivac wants liam Williams to come home as the star full-back plots his saracens exit.
Sportsmail revealed yesterday that the injured 28- year- old visited the scarlets on Monday.
Williams’ saracens deal runs out in summer. With 62 caps he could earn huge sums in France and still play for Wales.
But Pivac said: ‘From a selfish Welsh point of view I’d love to see him back here in Wales. that’s a decision ultimately that he will make given that he can play both inside and outside the country given the number of test matches he’s played.’