5 Richie Mo’unga (Samoa or Tonga)
Richie Mo’unga is of both Samoan and Tongan heritage. After earning 56 caps for the All Blacks up to and including the 2023 Rugby World Cup, he will become eligible to switch allegiance to Samoa or Tonga under World Rugby rules.
Born in Christchurch to a Tongan born father and a Samoan born mother, the fly half will have completed his stand down period by the time of the World Cup. However, indications suggest he may instead pursue another opportunity with the All Blacks.
4 Shannon Frizell (Wales)
Born in Tonga, Frizell qualifies for Wales through his father Andrew, who is from Swansea.
His final Test appearance came in the 2023 World Cup final, where he received a yellow card and was replaced by Sam Whitelock in the 55th minute as New Zealand lost 11 to 12 and finished with silver medals.
His adoptive brother Tyson Frizell is notable for representing three different nations. He played for Wales in the 2011 Four Nations and 2013 World Cup, then for Australia between 2016 and 2019, including the 2017 World Cup, and later for Tonga.
Any potential switch would likely attract criticism from supporters due to Frizell’s off field issues.
3 Alex Lozowski (Italy)
Although he qualifies for Italy through his grandmother, Alex Lozowski has repeatedly turned down approaches to change international allegiance.
The future Sale Sharks playmaker earned five England caps between 2017 and 2018 and has remained committed to the Red Rose, choosing to wait for an England recall rather than represent Six Nations rivals Italy.
He does not appear close to selection under Steve Borthwick, which raises questions over whether he might reconsider, despite previously ruling it out.
2 David Ribbans (South Africa)
Ribbans was born in South Africa and went on to represent England after qualifying through ancestry.
The lock currently plays for Toulon in the Top 14 and shows no signs of leaving, which renders him ineligible for England under RFU regulations.
His most recent appearances under Steve Borthwick came at the 2023 World Cup, meaning he has completed his stand down period and could, in theory, switch to South Africa.
Speaking last year, he did not dismiss the idea of representing the Springboks but admitted he finds the concept “strange”.
1 Manu Tuilagi (Samoa)
Manu Tuilagi won 60 caps for England before moving to French club Bayonne and becoming ineligible in 2024. He has said he may attempt to represent Samoa at the next Rugby World Cup.
Born in Samoa and relocating to the UK at the age of 13, Tuilagi would be eligible to switch under World Rugby’s birthright rule in March 2027, three years after his final England appearance.
“It depends if I’m still be able to compete at that level,” the 35 year old told Rugby Union Weekly in 2025.
“It’s the World Cup – if you go, you go to win and to give your best, not just so you can say I’ll play another World Cup.
“I’ll be 36 then, so I don’t know. We’ll see.”
NAME EVERY ENGLAND CAPTAIN OF THE PROFESSIONAL ERA:
Since rugby turned professional in 1995, England have had a host of captains lead the team through World Cups, Grand Slams, Lions tours and some of the biggest moments in the sport’s history.
From World Cup-winning legends to short-term stand-ins, how many England captains of the professional era can you name?
You have five minutes to name them all. Good luck!🏉
