Full-back Henry Arundell, who in the summer joined France's Racing 92 after London Irish went into administration, is understood to now require the signing of a hybrid contract with the RFU and another club to feature in February's Six Nations, with a switch to Bath the likely option
Friday 8 December 2023 18:16, UK
Henry Arundell will be ineligible to play for England in next year's Six Nations unless the full-back opts to leave French club Racing 92 and signs a hybrid contract with the Rugby Football Union and another club.
RFU CEO Bill Sweeney had suggested in October that Arundell would be able to represent his country in the tournament, which begins in February, due to the 'special circumstances' rule following the demise of his former club London Irish, but Sky Sports understands that a hybrid contract would now be required to do so.
Bath are considered the front-runners to sign Arundell in a hybrid deal partnering with the RFU should he choose to leave Racing 92.
The 21-year-old signed a one-year contract with the Parisian club in July to play in the Top 14 after London Irish fell into administration the month before.
Arundell, who has won 10 caps and scored seven tries since making his senior England debut on the tour of Australia in July 2022, was part of this year's World Cup squad that claimed the bronze medal.
Current RFU rules only allow those players based in England to be selected for the national team, but it had appeared that special dispensation would be granted for Arundell.
"What we said was that any players who were [abroad] as an outcome of their clubs going out of business and needed to find employment overseas as a result and couldn't get a contract in England, they would be available for the Six Nations in 2024," Sweeney said at a media briefing in October.
"We believe that will be the case with Henry [Arundell]. We will work very hard with him and with the Premiership so hopefully he can get a contract to come back to England in 2024-25."
Sky Sports News' James Cole:
"Arundell is one of the hottest prospects in English rugby. He has electric pace; he scored five tries against Chile at the World Cup and a hat-trick on his debut for Racing.
"He was allowed to play his rugby in France after London Irish went under... but now the RFU are moving the goalposts because they're creating these hybrid contracts whereby they will joint-fund a player's contract with a club.
"They are now saying that he must sign this hybrid contract, if he is to be eligible to play for England in the Six Nations.
"It is reported that this new contract would be more lucrative and Arundell now has a big decision to make in terms of his international future. Remember, there's a Lions tour less than two years' away.
"This policy is being introduced by the RFU in the hope of stopping the player exodus, particularly to France, with a number of players moving abroad to seek more lucrative contracts.
"They hope these new hybrid deals will stop that happening and preserve the quality of English-qualified players playing their rugby in England, in the Premiership."
