International players will be able to switch nationality if revolutionary changes to eligibility rules are voted through by World Rugby later this month.
Under the new proposals, players will be able to represent the country of their or their ancestors’ birth after a three-year stand-down period.
The World Rugby council will discuss the proposals at the next meeting on 24 November, with a 75% majority, or 39 of 52 votes, required for the ruling to pass.
#1. Malakai Fekitoa (New Zealand to Tonga)
- Current number of caps: 41
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
- Did you know: He won 24 caps for the All Blacks between 2014 and 2017
Fekitoa, capped 24 times by New Zealand, qualified for Tonga using a loophole in eligibility rules through playing rugby sevens in an Olympic qualifier during the summer.
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