Linde van der Velden is among the players Exeter are forced to leave this weekend. Photo: Getty Images/Harry Trump
Exeter Chiefs Women were forced to drop a number of international players this weekend to avoid a five-point deduction from the Rugby Football Union.
There is a limit on the number of non-English players qualifying for selection into the Women's Premier Division and Chiefs, who are second in the Women's Rugby Premier League table after five games and in contention for the home semi-final play-offs, must make up the shortfall of five English players in the next three matches , one of which is against league leaders Saracens – otherwise their title chances could be dealt a huge blow.
Exeter are not the only club struggling to meet the league's quota of qualified English players, which requires an average of 13 English players in the matchday squad during the season. Sale Sharks, who barely met the requirement, are expected to be docked five points in the coming weeks.
To avoid a similar fate, Exeter head coach Susie Appleby was without at least six international stars for her team's match against Ealing Trailfinders on Sunday at Sandy Park.
They include Canadian hooker Emily Tuttosi , one of the most experienced women's front row players, as well as Australia defender Laurie Kramer and powerful Dutch No. 8 Chiefs ball-handler Linde van der Velden.
“Emily Tuttosi has been in this league since its inception,” said a disgruntled Appleby. “She is faithful. She trains the community. She's doing the best she can and is excited to be a part of what we're all trying to do here. But she said for the first time this week that she doesn't feel welcome, which is very sad.
“This is one example of what these rules, which they [the RFU] haven't thought through, are doing to our league. English players who take to the field feel guilty because they are English.”
Exeter Chiefs' Director of rugby Susie Appleby expressed dissatisfaction with the rules. Photo: Getty Images/Bob Bradford
Appleby added that it was “ironic” that her players had to undergo an RFU-led diversity and inclusion awareness session earlier this week. “I look these players in the eyes and say, ‘I can’t play you because you’re not English.’ There’s nothing inclusive about that,” she said.
Katie Daley-Mclean, The head of the women's sales team is understood to have held talks with Belinda Moore, chief executive of PWR, over relaxing the rule, which Appleby claims in some cases compromises player safety.
“ “We've set ourselves the challenge of being relevant and we're bringing in a lot of young English players, but if you put the wrong player on the field at the wrong time he could get seriously injured,” she said.An RFU spokesman said: “The England Qualified Players Scheme has the full support of both the RFU and Women's Premier League Rugby as part of our partnership to support the Red Roses' ambitions, particularly with the Women's Rugby World Cup taking place in 2025 , but we have also been open with other countries to give their players access to PWR to help support their development as they look to improve the professionalism of their domestic leagues.
“All our clubs have agreed to the rules and, like everyone in other leagues, we want to support homegrown talent. However, we will continue to consider this issue, as well as many other issues, as the League develops.”
Meanwhile, Exeter are embroiled in a battle with the RFU over the £5,000 the club spent on their women's team's trip to Sale last month only to for the December 2 match to be called off hours before kick-off due to a frozen pitch.
The Disputes Committee ruled that Sale complied with all adverse weather protocols, but Exeter, who want a refund and requested evidence that the frost cover was down, filed an appeal. A final decision is expected to be made at Monday's hearing.
“This is the most dispiriting season I've been a part of since I started here,” reflects Appleby, who has been at the helm since then. how the Chiefs won the women's premiership three years ago.
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