An English case study
English rugby clubs are importing foreign players. Some see this as a cause for concern rather than rejoicing
THE concern is not confined to rugby union. In analysing the decline of English cricket, a book provocatively entitled “The Enemy Within” by Alastair McLellan (Blandford Press) speculates that the introduction of foreigners into county cricket has worked against the interests of the national team. On the face of it, the argument is persuasive. As well as reducing playing opportunities for promising native players, the foreigners perfidiously use their well-honed skills and acquired knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of their rivals to thrash England at test-match level.
This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “An English case study”
From the March 8th 1997 edition
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