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Strettle set for Premiership return - Reports
By Tim Groves
Former England international David Strettle could be heading back to finish his career at Saracens, according to ex-team-mate Jim Hamilton and Andy Goode.
The 34-year-old is leaving Clermont at the end of the season as his contract is up and French clubs are looking to reduce the number of non-French qualified players in their squads next season with tougher sanctions, including points deductions, being imposed on those with not enough JIFF players in their squads.
Top 14 teams must field an average of at least 14 French-qualified players in every league match or risk being docked points at the end of the season and Strettle is set for a return to the Premiership as a result.
It had been thought that Bristol, who are almost certain to win promotion from the Greene King IPA Championship, would be his destination but Goode and Hamilton suggested on The Rugby Pod this week that he would be back at Allianz Park in the summer.
“I did hear one [rumour] about the mighty Saracens. We thought he was going to Bristol but David Strettle’s going back to Sarries to see out his career,” said Goode.
“If it’s true, that would be class,” added Hamilton. “He’s 34 but Strettle is a class player. He’s one of the best players that I played with, or watched from the sidelines.”
Watch the video of the Rumour Mill in full below to find out what other transfer gossip is doing the rounds…
You can listen to all previous episodes of The Rugby Pod Here
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i think Argentina v France could be a good game too, depending on which Argentina turns up. The most difficult to call is Scotland Australia.
Go to commentsSmith is playing a different game with the rest of the backs struggling to understand. That's the problem with so called playmakers, if nobody gets what they're doing then it often just leads to a turnover. It gets worse when Borthwick changes one of them, which is why they don't score points at the end. Sometimes having a brilliant playmaker can be problematic if a team cannot be built around them. Once again Borthwick seems lacking in either coaching or selection. I can't help but think it's the latter coupled with pressure to select the big name players.
Lastly, his forward replacements are poor and exposed either lack of depth or selection pressure. Cole hemorrhages scrum penalties whenever he comes on, opponents take advantage of the England scrum and close out the game. Is that the best England can offer?
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