Pool-Jones puts Paris first

13 April 2012

Richard Pool-Jones, the Stade Francais flanker, has dropped out of England ' s North American tour rather than forsake his French friends in search of personal glory.

Instead of crossing the Atlantic with every chance of erasing his name from the list of England's one-cap wonders, Pool-Jones will be staying by the Seine for the final stages of the Paris club's defence of their French title, beginning on May 26, when England warm up against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

Pool-Jones, preparing -for next week's European Cup final against Leicester at the Parc des Princes, knows that, at 31, he might not get another chance to add to the England cap he earned in the 76-0 defeat by Australia in Brisbane three years ago.

After discussing his dilemma with England manager Clive Woodward, Pool-Jones said: 'I am desperate to play for England but there are times in life when you have to make sacrifices for your colleagues. Rugby is a human adventure and this is one case where I have to put club before country.

'This has been a really tough decision, one which has kept me awake at night. My whole reason for playing for Stade is to help them do well in the championship and my club needs me more than England. They would have released me but there was an unspoken pressure on me to stay. -'It's been a really tough shout but my conscience is clear. I am very grateful that Clive is so -open-minded and understanding. He has assured me that it will not prejudice my future prospects.

'It is a question of club loyalty. I owe Stade a lot. Nobody else wanted to give me a contract and it's just very unfortu-nate that the tour clashes with the knock- out stages of the French Championship.'

On his previous England appearance, Pool- Jones, who owns a printing business in Paris, emerged as a heroic figure, hurling himself back into the one- sided fray with reckless abandon despite having 17 stitches in his face.

For the first of England's two Tests against Canada, in Toronto on June 2, the former Wasp would have had no shortage of competition for the open-side position vacated by the Australia-bound Neil Back. The choice now is a straight one between the uncapped Premiership duo, Lewis Moody and Alex Sanderson.

Woodward said: 'Richard informed me that he would be available to join the tour. Subsequently, he can no longer do so owing to club commitments. I understand his position and I am now considering other options.'

The RFU served notice yesterday that the four Home Unions will expect a share of the profits generated by the Lions on future tours, starting with New Zealand in 2005. RFU chairman Brian Baister said: 'We are taking most of the pain and little of the gain. In future,

the home countries need to be compensated.'

While Australia are paying £1million towards the cost of paying the 37 Lions and their management team, gross receipts from the 10-match tour go to the hosts.

Lawrence Dallaglio is to have a further scan on his right knee today, acknowledging that his place on the Lions tour is in doubt. 'I am fully aware of the decisions that need to be made once details of the scan are known,' he said. 'I need to be 100 per cent for the tour and it would be a huge setback if I had to miss it.'

Wales are preparing yet another bid to capture Iestyn Harris from rugby league and groom him to succeed Neil Jenkins at the World Cup in two years. While Cardiff are ready to contribute towards a £500,000 offer, Leeds will want at least twice as much for the Great Britain stand off.

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