Rugby’s relaxed rules over player nationality are creating more controversy than ever, with 134 foreign-born players taking part in summer internationals.
According to research by RUCK, the games will feature four New Zealanders playing for Ireland against the All Blacks, a Canadian playing for Scotland, a Scotsman playing for New Zealand, a Cypriot playing for England, Eight Englishmen playing for Wales and one Islander playing for just about everyone.
For many fans this may seem ridiculous, but switching allegiance has been an integral part of international rugby union for years.
The ease with which players can move overseas, naturalize and begin representing a country with which they had no previous connection is a loophole that has been exploited by most rugby playing nations.
Today we take a look at the four home countries as well as their opponents this summer. We’ve also included Six Nations winners France, who are touring Japan.
Interestingly, despite heavy criticism from some All Blacks fans, they have as many foreign-born players in their squad as Ireland.
FULL LIST OF NATION EXCHANGE PLAYERS
SOUTH AFRICA v WALES
SOUTH AFRICA – 0:
WALES – 10:
- Tomas Francis (England)
- Ben Carter (England)
- Will Rowlands (England)
- Cape Town (Tonga)
- Dan Lydiate (England)
- Gareth Anscombe (New Zealand)
- George North (England)
- Nick Tompkins (England)
- Johnny Williams (England)
- Alex Cuthbert (England)
CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO
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