Former England prop Kieran Brookes has spoken openly about his Irish eligibility after joining Munster.
The 36-year-old is now able to make an international switch.
“I’m obviously Irish qualified and I knew Munster were looking for an Irish qualified prop in the off-season,” Brookes said following his move to the province.
Brookes has strong Irish roots and actually represented Ireland at age-grade level before eventually entering the England system.
“My mum was born in Belfast. Her parents, my grandad was from Dublin and my nan was from Belfast,” he explained.
“So I played in Irish age groups and then when I signed my first pro contract over in England, I kind of carried on with the English route.”
Crucially, Brookes insists representing England was never a conscious decision to turn his back on Ireland.
“It wasn’t necessarily like a full-blown switch, like a decision, playing for England – ‘I want to play for England, I don’t want to play for Ireland.’”
Brookes went on to win 16 England caps and was selected for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
That tournament provides another interesting connection.
Current Ireland boss Andy Farrell was part of Stuart Lancaster’s England coaching team, meaning he has already worked with Brookes at international level.
There is currently no suggestion Farrell or the IRFU have approached the tighthead about representing Ireland.
However, Brookes’ final England appearance came in 2016, meaning he has comfortably cleared the three-year stand-down required under World Rugby eligibility regulations.
And despite being 36, Brookes believes he still has plenty to offer.
“I’d say I may have played some of my best rugby in my 30s compared to my 20s,” he said.
“You’ve still got to back yourself, no matter what age you’re at, and that’s obviously why I’m still playing.”
Now contracted to Munster, Irish-qualified and already known to Farrell, his situation is certainly one to watch.
Other England stars who could switch nations
Changes to World Rugby’s eligibility regulations have opened the door for several established internationals to represent a second country.
A player can apply to switch unions after a three-year stand-down, provided they have the required birth, parent or grandparent connection to the new nation.
Here are four other huge names who could take advantage.
Mako Vunipola – Tonga
Mako Vunipola has already revealed that Tonga have sounded him out about a potential international return.
The former England and British & Irish Lions prop qualifies through his Tongan heritage and has not played for England since the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
RUCK previously reported that Tonga had approached the 79-cap England forward over a potential switch.
“When I signed here they [Tonga] dropped in the idea of ‘what do you reckon about playing for us?’” Vunipola revealed.
With the 2027 Rugby World Cup approaching, the door remains open for one of England’s most decorated props to finish his international career in different colours.
Billy Vunipola – Tonga
His brother Billy also has the option of representing Tonga.
The powerful number eight accumulated 75 England caps before making his final appearance at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Tonga have previously shown interest in bringing him into their set-up, with Mako revealing that officials were keen to get his younger brother involved.
Billy, however, has subsequently played down the prospect.
After spending more than a decade representing England, he suggested it would not feel right to take an opportunity away from a younger Tongan player.
The eligibility is there, but unlike some of the other players on this list, Billy appears unlikely to take advantage of it.
Jack Willis – Ireland
Jack Willis presents a very different situation.
The Toulouse superstar qualifies for Ireland through his Belfast-born grandfather and has now passed three years since his final England appearance against Chile at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
His international future has become particularly interesting because the RFU's overseas selection policy continues to prevent him from representing England while based in France.
RUCK reported this week that Willis is now eligible to represent Ireland with immediate effect.
The back-rower has also indicated he would be open to an approach, while IRFU performance director David Humphreys has reportedly previously made enquiries about his plans.
Willis joked about his Irish connection: “I’m a quarter-Irish, but I believe they’ve got the same rules as England. I don’t know. You can do some digging, that’s your job. You find the route.”
There would still be a significant obstacle. Ireland generally select players contracted to one of their four provinces, while Willis remains a key figure at Toulouse.
Nevertheless, the two-time Top 14 Player of the Year is now technically available should Ireland ever decide to explore the possibility.
Manu Tuilagi – Samoa
Manu Tuilagi is another huge name who could potentially appear at the 2027 Rugby World Cup wearing a different international jersey.
The former England centre was born in Samoa and comes from one of the country's most famous rugby families.
His brothers Freddie, Henry, Alesana, Anitelea and Sanele Vavae all represented Samoa, while Manu instead went on to win 60 caps for England.
His final Test for England came against France in March 2024 before he moved across the Channel to join Bayonne.
That starts the clock on a potential international switch.
Provided he remains eligible under World Rugby regulations, Tuilagi would complete his three-year stand-down in March 2027 – several months before the Rugby World Cup in Australia.
It creates the remarkable possibility of the powerful centre following in his brothers' footsteps and finally representing the country of his birth.
Tuilagi would be 36 by the time the tournament begins, so whether he remains willing and able to play Test rugby is another question.
But after a 13-year England career, the regulations leave the door open to one final and potentially emotional chapter.
