5 Players Who Have Swapped Nations for the 2023 Rugby World Cup

The players require a three-year 'stand-down' period from international competition, before they can play for their new country. The player must also have either been born in the country they wish to represent, or have at least a Grandfather or Grandmother of that nationality.

Here are five players who have already made the most of the new laws, and swapped nations in time to represent new countries at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Back-rower Jack Dempsey represented the Wallabies from 2017 to 2019, and featured in their 2019 Rugby World Cup squad. Stepping away from Australian duties after their Quarter Final exit to England, Dempsey made the change to play for Scotland through his Grandfather's heritage, with the new eligibility laws coming into affect.

Dempsey enjoyed a seven year stint playing club rugby in Australia, for the New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby, and the North Harbour Rays provincial side. The Number Eight signed for Glasgow Warriors ahead of the 2021/22 United Rugby Championship season, and immediately caught the eye of Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend.

With a powerful first step, bruising carries and impressive handling skills, Dempsey is a complete number eight. Coincidentally, Dempsey made his Scotland debut in the 2022 Autumn Series, against his former nation of Australia. He has since gone on to be a prominent feature in the Scotland set up, and became a fan favourite throughout the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.

2 & 3. Charles Piutau & Malakai Fekitoa - New Zealand to Tonga

After the new eligibility laws were introduced at the beginning of 2022, the All Blacks' plentiful squad depth began to decline. New Zealand have always welcomed overseas players from the Pacific Islands to bolster their ranks, with Tonga being one such nation to see their brightest stars depart to wear the famous black jersey.

However, the tides are now turning, to the benefit of the New Zealand capped players, that have fallen away from the squad. The likes of Charles Piutau and Malakai Fekitoa had begun to slip under the All Blacks radar, as New Zealand's unimaginable squad depth pushed the duo further to the fringes. Both have now committed to star for Tonga, and will take on the titans of Ireland and South Africa in Pool B of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Former Wasps centre Fekitoa currently resides in Munster, and continues to tear up the United Rugby Championship with exciting attacking performances. The 30-year-old was born on the Tongan Island group of Ha'apai, and qualified for the All Blacks after three years residency in Auckland. After the Rugby World Cup, Fekitoa will move to Italy, as he has agreed a contract with Benetton Trevesio.

Bristol Bears star Charles Piutau represented Tonga at the 2010 Junior World Championships, and both of his parents are Tongan. Piutau will be leaving Ashton Gate come the end of the Premiership season, after lighting up the West Country since 2018. He was a key player in the side that were crowned Challenge Cup champions in 2020, yet with the Premiership salray cap being reduced, Bristol have been unable to keep hold of Piutau, as they have already confirmed the signing of England winger Max Malins.

Similarly to Tonga, Samoa are also a nation who have prospered from the eligibility law changes, with the possibility of bringing in an abundance of former All Blacks stars in the near future. New Zealand capped Steven Luatua has already confirmed his intentions to play for Samoa at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which is a promising sign for the Pacific Island nation.

The Bristol back-rower represented Samoa U20s in 2010, earning five caps for the Pacific Islanders. Luatua was then scouted and quickly called into the Junior All Blacks, and won back-to-back Junior World Championships in 2010 and 2011. Luatua soon found a home in the Blues of Super Rugby, and was called up into the All Blacks squad for the 2013 Rugby Championship, and made his debut in a 47-29 win over Australia.

Despite signs of promise, Luatau was not selected for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, which saw the All Blacks retain their title as World Champions. He had begun to slip to the edge of Steve Hansen's plans, yet was in-fact able to feature in a match against the 2017 British & Irish Lions, however this was for his Auckland Blues club side.

Luatua then made the change to join Pat Lam at Bristol Bears, where he captained the side to win the aforementioned 2020 European Challenge Cup. Now Luatua sets his sights on the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and boosting test rugby in Samoa. He will take on England, Argentina, Japan and Chile, in Pool D of rugby's greatest competition.

Israel Falou is set to be joining Fekitoa and Piutau in the reinforced Tongan side, for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The versatile back has played both codes of rugby, having started his career at Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos in Australia's NRL.

Falou made his initial switch to rugby union in 2013, where he aligned with the New South Wales Waratahs. He was then fast-tracked into the Wallabies squad, where he made 73 appearances until 2019. That year, Rugby Australia terminated his contract, after Falou presented discriminatory attitudes towards same-sex relationships on social media.

Falou then headed back to Rugby League, where he joined Perpignan-based Catalans Dragons in the Super League. He was with the Dragons throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, yet in 2021 it was announced that Falou would make his second code-switch, as he agreed a move with Tokyo club the Shining Arcs, in the Japanese first division.

With Tongan parents, the 34-year-old became eligible to play for the Pacific Island after the World Rugby laws changes, and made his debut for Tonga in the 2022 Pacific Nations Cup against Fiji. However, Falou's debut was not one for him to remember, as he was substituted off with a hamstring injury after half an hour's play.