WHY CAN TE’O PLAY BUT NOT THIS DUO?

BEFORE we turn our minds to England versus Wales tomorrow, I want to make a heartfelt plea to World Rugby and the RFU to show common sense and get on top of the issue of who is eligible to represent their country. Ben Te’o, who has reached the age of 29 without showing any previous interest in England, will be touring and possibly starting a Test in Australia, while Steffon Armitage and Sam Underhill — products of the England age group system — are ineligible. England don’t have to pick them, but on no account should these players be ‘barred’. This is the Premiership and the RFU trying to keep players at home with the threat of not playing for England as the sanction. England’s coach must have total control of his team and, if he wants to select a player playing abroad, that’s his business. As long as all players playing abroad have in their contracts release clauses to attend all England sessions, I don’t see the issue. Te’o has an English mother, he is eligible and so Eddie picked him. All by the book. But let’s bear this in mind: Te’o is 29, was born in New Zealand, lived there until he was 17 and played for New Zealand Under 16. He played for three of the top Rugby League franchises in Australia and represented Samoa at the Rugby League World Cup and then, when he came to Europe, he chose to play for Leinster. Not an English club which would have been the logical choice if playing for England was a burning desire. Contrast this with Armitage, who spent 10 years playing for England youth teams, England Sevens, England Saxons and England, while racking up more than 100 appearances with Saracens and London Irish in the Premiership. Underhill, despite outstanding England Under 18 and Under 20 caps, is also ineligible because he had the temerity to choose a university degree in Swansea which suited him and plays for Ospreys, based in the city. How can all their commitment count for nothing? And how about the commitment of their families, helping out behind the scenes and making financial sacrifices, the hard work of school teachers and coaches? How can that be ignored just because the individual now plays in France or, heaven forbid, Wales?