Barkley backs imports

Bath fly-half Olly Barkley says the World Cup will provide a shop window for another influx of foreign players to the Aviva Premiership next season.

Barkley was in with a shout of travelling to New Zealand for the upcoming World Cup before injury struck again as he broke his leg playing against former side Gloucester.
The 29-year-old will now be watching England's fortunes instead of being part of Martin Johnson's squad, but he will also be keeping an eye on players from other countries.

With Premiership sides allowed to sign one marquee player outside of the wage cap, the World Cup will offer an opportunity for individuals to bag a big-money move to England, or possibly to France and Japan.

Barkley, writing in his column for Blokely, says that although winning will be the priority, many players at the World Cup will have an eye on making enough of an impact to earn a big-money move.

Exchange rate

"While the financial system is in crisis all over the globe, the pound (and the euro) still offers a healthy exchange for the rand and the Aussie and New Zealand dollars, opening the door for players in these countries to cash in while their star is at its highest," Barkley said on Blokely.

"The World Cup is a watershed moment for many players for two different reasons. Fringe international players will target a World Cup as their potential breakthrough year, with a large squad being assembled, it can provide outside players with an opportunity to impress over a long pre-season period where training squads can be as large as sixty.

"For seasoned, experienced, internationals who can pretty much smack their mortgage on the fact that they'll be selected, it's a time to focus all attention on participating or winning a World Cup (let's be upfront about this, it depends on which nation you play for) and then move on afterwards, with priorities shifting somewhat.

"So it's a winner for the All Black, the Springbok and the Wallaby but how does the influx of foreign players affect our game, our developing talent and our domestic league?"

Although Barkley is wary of an overseas player blocking the path of an English youngster coming through the ranks, he knows that buying the right man can have a hugely positive influence on a team - as he knows from first-hand experience at Bath.
Inspiration

"I for one am of the thinking that overseas invasions can offer prime overseas inspiration," he added.

"First of all there is what the player can offer to the game. Think Pat Lam back in the day, Tuigamala at Newcastle or more recently Nick Evans tearing the Premiership up on a regular basis down in Twickenham. The contribution to their teams is unquestionable.

"Now think of the effect these players have had on those around them, not only on the pitch but off it as well.

"Butch James who has sadly just left Bath, along with Micheal Classens, helped to transform our team from a side lost in its quest for a playing identity to one of the most dangerous in the Premiership.

"With the introduction of one marquee player per squad allowing sides to pay one player outside of the wage cap, the risk placed on the balance of the squad, is lowered significantly.

"For the direct impact they can have not only on the quality we see out on the field but also the ripple of inspiration they can spread throughout the squad (young players in particular) these are purchases that must become essentials, not luxuries, if our league and the players within are truly to flourish."


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