The hot topic of foreign-born players returned this week when England U20 stars Nick Tompkins and Billy Burns were called up by Wales and Ireland respectively.
RUCK takes an in-depth look at the foreign-born players in each of the home nations squad, where they were born and how they are eligible.
IRELAND - 7 (0% change)
Seven of Ireland’s roster are foreign-born. Of them two gained eligibility after arriving as adults on professional rugby contracts – CJ Stander, and Bundee Aki. Stander captained the Baby Boks while Billy Burns and Will Addison both played for England U20's.
- Rob Herring - Hooker - Cape Town, South Africa - Grandparent
- Ultan Dillane - Lock - Paris, France - Parent
- CJ Stander - No.8 - George, South Africa, Residency (2016)
- Luke McGrath - Scrum-half - Ontario, Canada - Parent
- Billy Burns - Fly-half - Bath, England - Grandparent
- Bundee Aki - Centre - Auckland, New Zealand - Residency (2017)
- Will Addison - Fullback - Penrith, England - Paren
FRANCE - 4 (+33%)
With four foreign-born players France has the lowest of the rosters named from the Six Nations unions. France also has a different requirement as in order to play for Les Bleus players must carry a French passport.
- Bernard le Roux - Lock - Western Cape, South Africa - Residency (2013)
- Paul Willemse - Lock - South Africa - Residency (2018)
- Virimi Vakatawa - Winger/Centre - Rangiora, New Zealand - Residency (2013)
- Gabriel N'Gandebe - Winger - Douala, Cameroon
WALES - 11 (+22%)
- WillGriff John - Prop - Plymouth, England - Parent
- Jake Ball - Lock - Ascot, England - Parent
- Will Rowlands - Lock - London, England
- Aaron Shingler - Flanker - Aldershot, England - Residency (1992)
- Taulupe Faletau - No.8 - Tofoa, Tonga - Residency (2001)
- Ross Moriarty - Flanker - Liverpool, England - Parent
- Hadleigh Parkes - Centre - Hunterville, New Zealand - Residency (2017)
- Nick Tompkins - Centre - Sidcup, England - Grandparent
- Johnny McNicholl - Wing - Christchurch, New Zealand - Residency (2019)
- George North - Wing - Kings Lynn, England - Parent
- Jonah Holmes - Fullback - Stockport, England - Grandparent
ITALY - 8 (-11%)
- Dean Budd - Lock - Whangarei, New Zealand - Residency (2015)
- David Sisi - Lock - Rinteln, Germany British Military Hospital - Parent
- Johan Meyer - Flanker - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Residency (2018)
- Sebastien Negri - Flanker - Marondera, Zimbabwe - Parent
- Jake Polledri - Flanker - Bristol, England - Parent
- Braam Steyn - Flanker - South Africa - Residency (2015)
- Callum Braley - Scrum-half - Bristol, England - Grandparent
- Jayden Hayward - Fullback - New Zealand - Residency (2017
SCOTLAND - 16 (-16%)
Despite a decrease from the 2019 tournament, Gregor Townsend’s roster still contains more than any other competitor in the Six Nations. Of note is that that over half of the Foreign-Born players qualify via a Grandparent. This very qualification path may not survive should World Rugby adopt additional tightening of eligibility laws.
- Simon Berghan - Prop - Christchurch, New Zealand - Grandparent
- Allan Dell - Prop - Humansdorp, South Africa -Grandparent
- W.P. Nel - Prop - Loeriesfontein, South Africa - Residency (2015)
- Ben Toolis - Lock - Brisbane, Australia - Parent
- Cornell du Preez - No.8 - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Residency (2017)
- Thomas Gordon - Flanker - Rotorua, New Zealand - Grandparents
- Nick Haining - Number 8 - Fremantle, Australia - Grandparent
- Hamish Watson - Flanker - Manchester, England - Grandparent
- Ali Price - Scrum-half - King Lynn, England - Parent
- Henry Pygros - Scrum-half - Dorset, England - Parent
- Chris Harris - Centre - Carlisle, England - Grandparent
- Sam Johnson - Centre, Dysart, Australia - Residency (2018)
- Sean Maitland - Winger - Tokoroa, New Zealand - Grandparent
- Kyle Steyn - Winger - Johannesburg, South Africa - Parent
- Ratu Tagive - Winger - Sydney, Australia
- Byron McGuigan - Winger - Namibia - Parent
ENGLAND 4 (-50%)
Eddie Jones’ foreign-born players is halved compared to a year ago. It would likely of been higher if Joe Cokanasiga and Billy Vunipola had been available. Ben Te'o is not longer available while Brad Shields and Jack Clifford aren't currently even contention.
- Mako Vunipola - Prop - Wellington, New Zealand - Residency (2008)
- Sam Underhill - Flanker - USA - Parent
- Manu Tuilagi - Centre - Samoa - Residency (2007)
- Willie Heinz - Scrum-half - Christchurch, New Zealand - Grandparent
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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