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England selection policy stays, says RFU's Ian Ritchie

England's Manu Tuilagi
Image: Manu Tuilagi: England and Leicester centre is a target for Toulouse

RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie believes England bosses will not change their policy of refusing to select overseas-based stars as speculation mounts over Manu Tuilagi’s future.

Top 14 giants Toulouse are attempting to offer Tuilagi a fresh start in France after the Leicester centre was dropped by England following his conviction for assaulting police officers.

England will head into the World Cup without Toulon's standout back-rower Steffon Armitage owing to their staunch policy of overlooking foreign-based stars, save for the "exceptional circumstances" clause that has never been invoked.

Toulouse are keen to capitalise on England banning Tuilagi until January and hope to buy out the remainder of the 23-year-old’s contract, which expires in 2016.

"I think the policy is the right one, we're all in agreement that it's the right one," Ritchie said.

"It's been applied in the right way and now we've got to focus on who we've got. We've got a great squad and the next three months are crucial in the preparation."

Any move to Toulouse would clearly curtail Tuilagi's England chances for the duration of a stay in France, but the RFU and Stuart Lancaster are fully intent on standing firm on their already-established selection principles.

RFU Chief Executive Ian Ritchie
Image: RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie

England World Cup-winner Jonny Wilkinson urged Tuilagi not to make any quick-fire decisions based purely in reaction to a testing few months.

Wilkinson swapped Newcastle Falcons for Toulon in 2009 after 12 years on Tyneside, wholly vindicating that move by leading the Cote d'Azur club to two consecutive Heineken Cup triumphs.

And the 36-year-old believes Tuilagi will weigh up his options before making any decision on his future.

"I know the Tuilagi family will all rally round each other and will be there to help him make the best decision, and good for them," Wilkinson said.

I know the Tuilagi family will all rally round each other and will be there to help him make the best decision.
Jonny Wilkinson

"What he can provide on a rugby field, his power and game-breaking talents, that's why Toulouse are lining up to have a look at him. Rugby careers generally tend to work out pretty much alright if every decision is about getting better and being a better rugby player.

"Whatever he does, if it's to go and compete in France and show what he's got, then he'll still have options later in his career to reflect and say 'what do I want to do'.

"He deserves that chance to say 'this is what I want from my life, and this is how I need to live it'. Time will be important, he needs to take what he has on that front. When you're injured, though, you hate missing playing rugby, mentally you can suffer.

"You've got to give people the freedom to make decisions on what they want and where they want to be, but it's not simple.

"It's easy to say 'well if that was me I would this', that doesn't matter, because he's going through it himself, and he needs to make sure he lives a life he enjoys."

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