World Rugby President Bill Beaumont is following through with one of his many promises from his manifesto.
A radical proposal to relax eligibility laws, which could allow Billy and Mako Vunipola brothers to represent Tonga, has been hailed as a “game changer” for Pacific Island countries.
The council are reportedly preparing to vote on a proposal this month that would allow players to switch nations after a stand-down period of potentially two or three years.
World Rugby determined that the process should be “fair and credible” for all parties.
5 England stars who’d want to swap nations for next World Cup
1. Manu Tuilagi (Samoa)
- Current number of caps: 41
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
- Did you know? He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team, Manu Samoa, because his brother Freddie was selected for Samoa at the World Cup in 1991, the year Manu was born
The England centre, who was born in Fogapoa and came to the UK at the age of 13, is one of a clutch of Pacific Island players whose eligibility status could change if the restrictions are relaxed. He is the younger brother of Freddie, Henry, Alesana, Anitelea and Sanele Vavae Tuilagi, all of whom are Samoan internationals and also played for Leicester. It would be fantastic for the powerhouse to complete the set.