FEARS that an influx of foreign stars could stymie English player development have been allayed by official figures which show the number of Englandqualified players (EQP) operating in the Premiership has risen significantly over the last two years.
Over the first half of the current campaign, no fewer than 71.7per cent of players competing in Premiership and European matches were Englandqualified. That compares to 67.9% for season 2015/16, equating to one additional EQP per squad over the campaign.
Top-flight clubs are incentivised by the RFU to field a minimum of 15 EQPs per matchday squa...