Exeter's Julian Heaven turns down Rugby World Cup opportunity
A World Cup dream, a family's pride, and a player's dilemma.
But here's where it gets controversial... Julian Heaven, a 25-year-old hooker from Exeter Chiefs, has turned down the chance to play for Spain at the Rugby World Cup next year. The reason? He doesn't want to risk losing his English Qualified Player (EQP) status. It's a decision that has left many wondering: is it worth giving up a World Cup spot for a player's heritage and pride?
Heaven, who was born in Sydney and moved to Sandy Park from the NSW Waratahs, has a unique background. He qualifies to play for five countries: Australia through birth and England through his dad. His grandmother on his mum's side was born in Spain and emigrated to Australia, while on his dad's side, his English-born grandmother married a Jamaican. This makes him a true global rugby player.
Spain saw potential in Heaven and invited him to join their under-20 side in 2019, with the lure of playing at the World Cup in Australia next year. But if he accepted, he would no longer be classified as an EQP. Heaven explains, "I do qualify for five countries. I’ve got a broad array of countries I’m associated with. I did play for Spain at the U20 Level, and I was invited to join the Spanish camp. The World Cup would be a very special moment for my family and me, if that were to happen. But I feel a strong sense of determination to play more for the Chiefs and to remain English-qualified. And I don’t wish to jeopardise that at the moment through playing with Spain. I think being English-qualified is probably more significant and important in the near future. I’m very proud of each of my heritages."
Heaven's decision is not just about personal pride; it's also about his future. He moved to France as a teenager to start his career with Lyon, but his visa issues meant he couldn't play for them. He explains, "I did three-and-a-half years at Lyon between Academy and Pro (rugby). I went there when I was 18 and debuted at 19. I had a few problems with injuries in my visa (application), so my French qualifications fell through. I was supposed to be Jiff-qualified, and at the end of my tenure at Lyon, I had an offer from Stade Français, which unfortunately fell through when I didn’t get my Jiff. So I returned to Australia."
The question remains: is Heaven's decision to turn down Spain a wise one? It's a dilemma that many players face, and one that could spark debate among rugby fans. What do you think? Is it worth giving up a World Cup spot for a player's heritage and pride? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
