The Breakdown | Fiji and the beautiful south reveal rugby’s soul but northern money talks loudest

Southern hemisphere players are integral to the global game but the financial clout of Europe remains dominant

They’re present in every top-flight club in Europe. They pack down for teams in France and Scotland. They run the show from half-back in England and Italy. They provide heft through the midfield and dazzle out wide in Ireland and Wales.

There are 257 of them in total, drawn from 12 nations including Chile, Zimbabwe and the Cook Islands. More than 60 are South African, a further 56 call Argentina home. Remove them and the complexion of the Top 14, Prem Rugby and the United Rugby Championship would look completely different, not least in the development of European players alongside and against them.