The soaring number of foreign-born players in the Six Nations is a ‘joke’, ‘dangerous’ and making the competition a ‘second tier’ of international competition, according to greats of the game.
A swathe of stars, including former England captain Lewis Moody, have applauded World Rugby vice-president Agustin Pichot for his stance on the game’s residency laws, saying they must change to preserve the sport’s integrity.
ENGLAND (3 players)
| PLAYER | BORN IN | ELIGIBILITY |
| Bevan Rodd | Scotland | Parent |
| Marcus Smith | Philippines | Parent |
| Louis Lynagh | Italy | Residency (2007) |
FRANCE (4)
| PLAYER | BORN IN | ELIGIBILITY |
| Uini Atonio | New Zealand | Residency (2014) |
| Bernard le Roux | South Africa | Residency (2012) |
| Paul Willemse | South Africa | Residency (2018) |
| Virimi Vakatawa | New Zealand | Residency (2013) |