Obano's Exit: The Latest Chapter in England's Eccentric Elite Player Policy Beno Obano's decision to join Pau from Bath at the end of the season is the latest instance of an English player opting for a lucrative move abroad, further blurring the lines between club and country.
This trend has been playing out for years, with Tom Willis being effectively exiled from the England squad after announcing his intention to join Bordeaux Begles in 2026 27.
The Rugby Football Union's (RFU) reliance on a domestic based talent pool is curious, given England's relative depth at loose head prop.