Europe’s best player lashes into “pathetic” England squad for backing World Cup selection policy

European Player of the Year Nick Abendanon has hit out at the England team's selection policy following their pool stage exit at the Rugby World Cup.

Abendanon plays his club rugby in France with ASM Clermont and was named European Player of the Year after guiding the French side to the Champions Cup final in Twickenham last May. It is the third consecutive year in which the award went to an Englishman playing his club rugby in France after Jonny Wilkinson and Steffan Armitage of Toulon picked up the award in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Speaking to Rugby Tonight on BT Sport, the former Bath fullback was very clear in his dislike of the RFU's refusal to pick players who ply their trade overseas, saying players who support the system are "pathetic" as it removes competition for places. https://twitter.com/RugbyTonight/status/661163447359442944 Rugby Tonight, BT Sport’s weekly rugby show airs every Monday evening on BT Sport 1 at 8pm.