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David Ribbans accepts that his decision to join Toulon means he could be making his final appearances for England at this World Cup.<\/p>\n
Former Northampton second-row Ribbans switches to the Top 14 club at the end of the tournament after signing a three-year contract that sees him join the exodus of English players heading across the Channel.<\/p>\n
While there are greater riches available in the French league, they come a cost because Rugby Football Union eligibility rules state only those competing in the Gallagher Premiership are available for selection by Steve Borthwick.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately England will no longer be available so this will be the end of the road for now.<\/p>\n
It means that Saturday\u2019s clash with Chile in Lille has the potential to become Ribbans\u2019 ninth and final cap for England \u2013 a prospect with which he has made peace given the RFU will not soften its stance.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWhen I signed for Toulon, the rules were in place and the rules will remain in place. So it was a decision I had to make,\u201d Ribbans said.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately England will no longer be available so this will be the end of the road for now.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really looking forward to that challenge at Toulon, but for now I\u2019m fully focused on England and being part of this World Cup and seeing how far we can go as a team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of Borthwick\u2019s 33-man World Cup squad, Jack Willis, Joe Marchant and Henry Arundell will also be playing for French clubs next season.<\/p>\n
Ribbans knows that their availability for the Six Nations lies in hands of the RFU, which wants to keep England\u2019s stars in the Premiership.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s up to the RFU,\u201d the 28-year-old said. \u201cThere would have to be some conversations had, but for now the rules are the way they are.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ribbans is set to start in the second row for England\u2019s third Pool D encounter as Borthwick takes the opportunity to rest his front-line stars in the wake of emphatic victories over Argentina and Japan.<\/p>\n
It will be Ribbans\u2019 World Cup debut as he takes the next step on a professional career that began at Western Province in 2015.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never expected this a couple of years ago, so to come out of a small town called West Somerset in South Africa and to be playing for England has been amazing,\u201d said Ribbans, who qualifies on ancestry grounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy journey to the World Cup has been full of ups and downs but it\u2019s exciting to be here. To be part of this England set-up is really special and I\u2019ve loved every moment of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
While eager to make his first appearance in the tournament, Ribbans also appreciates the break from the arduous training sessions for non-playing squad members that are overseen by head of strength and conditioning Aled Walters.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a tough two weeks on the sidelines for the fitness sessions! Aled puts us through our paces because we\u2019ve got to keep up with the team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe players bring the hard yards on the Saturday so we\u2019re busy chasing them and want to get our opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re training hard and training has been good, but there\u2019s always time for some downtime afterwards. But it will be good to get a run-out this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n