EXCLUSIVE: England face French exodus - Jamie Noon issues Flood warning

The former England centre, who is now an RFU-registered player agent in France, says Toby Flood’s departure from Leicester at the end of this season – with his destination expected to be Toulouse – will lead the way for several current England stars to head across the Channel.

Jonny Wilkinson, Andrew Sheridan and Delon and Steffon Armitage are the most high-profile English players plying their trade in France at the moment.

But Flood’s imminent move has already produced significant ripples in the English game with the news that he is set to be dropped from Stuart Lancaster’s Elite Player Squad despite his status as the most experienced member during the autumn internationals, with 60 caps .

Noon, who used to play alongside Flood for both Newcastle and England, insists he was not part of any deal to take Flood away from Welford Road, but admits he did give his old team-mate some advice on living in the country.

“I didn’t have a hand in Toby’s move from Leicester at all, although I did speak to him about it,” said Noon, who won 38 caps for England between 2001-2009.

“He phoned me for some advice, asking about life in France. People want to know the ins and outs of living there and it’s nice to hear a friendly voice to help you with any questions or issues you have.

“I made the move a while ago and really enjoyed it and I have decided to continue working and living in France.”

Noon, 34, who played for Brive for four years before retiring at the end of last season, believes the only thing stemming the tide is the threat of missing out on a World Cup place next year, with England having an unwritten rule that those playing in France will not be selected for their country.

The RFU fear an exodus of top talent similar to the one currently being experienced in Wales. Jonathan Davies and Ian Evans will play for Clermont Auvergne and Toulon respectively next season, while Dan Lydiate, Mike Phillips and Jamie Roberts are together at Racing Metro, and James Hook and Luke Charteris are at Perpignan.

Furthermore, the Welsh Lions Alun Wyn Jones, Adam Jones, Sam Warburton and Leigh Halfpenny are being tipped to join them, as the French clubs have considerably more financial muscle than their Welsh and English counterparts. “Inevitably we will see more English players moving to France in the next couple of years because French clubs can afford to pay them more money, as the French salary cap is bigger than the UK’s,” said Noon.

“It’s always going to be a big carrot for players because we are not in the game for very long.

“Everyone goes on about how much footballers or the top players earn and how shocking it is but we are in this game for 10-15 years maximum and you have to get what you can. It’s not as if we have had the chance to get work experience in other jobs.

“And it won’t be purely for the money – the rugby in France is at a really top level. You face top-quality sides week-in, week-out.

“The culture is also completely different. France is renowned for its food, its laid-back lifestyle and it is wonderful for families – my three children love it here. Also, the opportunity to work in a different country is special.

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/25413225

EXCLUSIVE: England face French exodus - Jamie Noon issues Flood warning