Reports today suggest World Cup winner Tawera Kerr-Barlow has revealed that he wishes to represent Australia in the upcoming World Cup.
The 32-year-old scrumhalf, who currently plays for Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle in Top 14, is eligible to play for the Wallabies having been born in Melbourne.
World Rugby introduced new laws in 2021, which allow players to switch national teams once in their career, to a country which they were born in or have a parent or grandparent born there, while they must have been absent from test rugby for three years.
“Unlike New Zealand, Australia have a rule allowing players who are overseas to still be eligible for selection,” Kerr-Barlow told RugbyRama.
“I am available to play for the Wallabies! I was born there. I have a lot of ties in this country and if the coaching staff calls me I will go without hesitation. It would be a great opportunity but for the moment I am focused on La Rochelle.”
A number of England players, including Danny Cipriani Zach Mercer, could also swap nations in the coming years.
Below, we pick out five England players you didn't know could swap nations ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, either immediately or in the run-up to the tournament.
#1. Zach Mercer (England to New Zealand)
- Age: 24
- Position: Number 8
- Current number of caps: 2
- Last cap: November, 2018
- Did you know? His father is former rugby league footballer and coach Gary Mercer, who played for New Zealand and the New Zealand Māori rugby league team
Zach Mercer of England goes over for a try during the Quilter Cup Match between England and Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on May 27. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#2. George Kruis (England to Canada)
- Age: 31
- Position: Second-row
- Current number of caps: 45
- Last cap: March, 2020
- Did you know? He could however eventually play for Canada through his Canadian father, although he’d have to wait until March, 2023
Despite hanging up his boots, we're sure the Canadians would be keen to tempt this line-out general back onto the field.
George Kruis of Saracens arrives during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final between Exeter Chiefs and Saracens at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on June 1 2019. - PHOTO: Cameron Geran/PPAUK
#3. Matt Kvesic
- Age: 29
- Position: Back-row
- Current number of caps: 4
- Last cap: September, 2019
- Did you know? Born in Germany to English parents, Kvesic made his senior debut for Worcester in the Anglo-Welsh Cup against the Scarlets on 14 November 2009, becoming the youngest player to represent the Warriors in the professional era
Exeter Chiefs player Matt Kvesic during the warm up before the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Sale Sharks and Exeter Chiefs at JW Bell Stadium on March 2nd - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
#4. Charlie Sharples (England to Hong Kong)
- Age: 32
- Position: Winger
- Current number of caps: 4
- Last cap: November, 2012
- Did you know? Born in Hong Kong, Sharples ran a time of 11.30 seconds over the 100m distance at the age of 17
#5. Alex Lozowski (England to Italy)
- Age: 28
- Position: Fly-half, Centre, Wing, Fullback
- Current number of caps: 5
- Last cap: November, 2018
- Did you know? Lozowski is the son of Rob Lozowski and was a sporting allrounder in his teenage years, playing not only rugby for the Wasps academy but also football for the Chelsea academy
He is reportedly still holding out hope of adding to his five England caps despite no recent soundings from coach Eddie Jones. The Mail Online have reported that Italy have not been in contact with 28-year-old, although we doubt it will be long until they do.
