{"id":296688,"date":"2023-11-16T21:24:40","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T21:24:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/?p=296688"},"modified":"2023-11-16T21:24:40","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T21:24:40","slug":"england-starlet-henry-arundell-snubs-offers-from-australian-nrl-teams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/rugby-union\/england-starlet-henry-arundell-snubs-offers-from-australian-nrl-teams\/","title":{"rendered":"England starlet Henry Arundell snubs offers from Australian NRL teams"},"content":{"rendered":"
England wing Henry Arundell has rejected lucrative offers from two rugby league clubs in Australia, as the prolific rookie seeks to enhance his Test ambitions in union.<\/p>\n
The 21-year-old announced his arrival at Paris club Racing 92 in stunning style last Sunday, by scoring a debut hat-trick against Toulon on the Cote d\u2019Azur.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Days later, reports Down Under suggested that Arundell was seriously considering a code switch to join the NRL, but Mail Sport understands that he has knocked back interest from Wests Tigers in Sydney and the Queensland-based Dolphins.<\/p>\n
Arundell\u2019s agent, Ryan Shahin \u2013 of Twenty Sports Group \u2013 said: \u2018Players of Henry\u2019s calibre generate almost constant interest.\u00a0Whilst we have had a couple of enquiries recently from NRL sides, these are not something Henry has entertained or considered in any way, and we were clear in our response.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘Any reports of a possible move to rugby league are false. Henry is excited for the remainder of the season with Racing \u2013 and hopefully with England.\u2019<\/p>\n
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England wing Henry Arundell has rejected lucrative offers in a bid to further his Test ambitions<\/p>\n
After scoring five tries in one pool-stage match against Chile during the World Cup, Arundell will spend the season at Racing, armed with special dispensation to play for England during the Six Nations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This is because he had to find a new club after the sudden financial collapse of London Irish, where he had come through the ranks.<\/p>\n
A decision about his plans after this season is expected to be made before Christmas. Arundell is being pursued by Bath and Gloucester, but it is understood that Racing are able to offer almost 50 per cent more than those Premiership suitors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, the RFU are hurriedly finalising plans for a new system of \u2018hybrid\u2019 contracts, designed to keep leading English players at home \u2013 and Arundell would be \u2018high on the list\u2019 to be among the group of 25 players awarded those deals.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the end of the World Cup, RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said: \u2018In Arundell\u2019s case, he left because he didn\u2019t have a contract, so what we\u2019ve said in a situation like that, it\u2019s no fault of his own, so he can still play for England in the next Six Nations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After that, we need to entice the best players to stay in England. We need to support the Premiership \u2013 to make sure the product is the best it can be \u2013 and also, we prefer those players to be based domestically.\u2019<\/p>\n
Asked if the union could guarantee that the likes of Arundell and Joe Marchant \u2013 the England centre who has joined Stade Francais \u2013 would be among the recipients of a hybrid contract, if they agreed to come home, Sweeney added: \u2018Yeah, we can do that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘It doesn\u2019t mean you are guaranteed to get selected, but to be in that 25 means you are clearly part of a core English group.\u2019<\/p>\n
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The 21-year-old scored a hat-trick on his debut for French club Racing 92 last Sunday<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the British & Irish Lions have confirmed an \u2018historic\u2019 deal with Premiership Rugby, which means English players will be available for all pre-tour training and other activities, ahead of the 2025 trip to Australia.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It marks a welcome end to the familiar cycle of fixture clashes and tension which has been a backdrop to all previous Lions tours in the professional era. The Premiership final will take place earlier in 2025, to allow those selected rest and adequate preparation.<\/p>\n
Lions chief executive Ben Calveley said: \u2018Our relationship with the clubs, who are the guardians of all potential Lions, is critical to any success we have, and we are committed to working with Premiership Rugby and United Rugby Championship in a spirit of collaboration.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lions chairman Ieuan Evans added: \u2018To achieve our ambition of success on the pitch, we need our very best players, and this partnership is crucial to this.\u2019<\/p>\n
Premiership Rugby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor said: \u2018We know how much The British & Irish Lions means to our players, clubs and fans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Giving our players and the Lions the best preparation time in history is vital for both the Lions and Premiership Rugby. We are now looking forward to seeing as many Premiership players as possible competing for a Test jersey.\u2019<\/p>\n