Ex-England forward has declared for Australia, he's swapping nations

Thursday, 13 March 2025 at 19:28

byRugby Rucker

One-Test England international Nic Dolly is staying put at Western Force, signing a contract extension that will keep him in Perth until the end of 2028. But while his Super Rugby Pacific journey continues, there’s a bigger storyline bubbling away in the background.

Dolly, 25, has made no secret of his desire to wear Wallaby gold, and this latest deal could be another major step toward making that dream a reality. If he does, it would be history in the making – no player has ever represented both England and Australia in Test rugby.

A move Down Under with a bigger goal in mind?

The hooker earned his sole England cap in 2021, but after making the switch from Leicester Tigers to the Force, his focus appears to have shifted. Since arriving, he’s made three starts in as many games, proving his worth in a highly competitive squad.

And competition is fierce. Brandon Paenga-Amosa and the currently injured Tom Horton are also in the mix for that No. 2 jersey, but Sydney-born Dolly is more than up for the challenge.

"Perth is a beautiful spot" – Dolly on why he's staying

“What they’re trying to build over here is long-term success, and you can only have that with a strong squad,” Dolly said after re-signing.

“With the signings they’re making, I wanted to stay long-term. That’s one of many things—Perth is a beautiful spot, the boys here are great, and the coaching staff and playing group are really ambitious.”

And when it comes to the battle for selection, Dolly is embracing the fight.

“I look at my position, and it’s probably one of the strongest within the squad in terms of depth,” he added. “We push each other, but we also want that spot.

“That’s really healthy to have in the group. The more we see that throughout every position, the better we’ll get.”

Could this commitment to the Force pave the way for a historic Wallabies call-up? Time will tell.

“Kilted Kiwi’s” – Scotland have more foreign-born players than any other nation

The Six Nations is always a showcase of top-tier talent, but not every player pulls on their nation's jersey having been born there.

Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe ahead of the 2025 Six Nations Championship Round 4 between Scotland and Wales in Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday, March 8, 2025 (Photo by Ryan Byrne / Inpho)

With eligibility rules allowing selections through ancestry, residency, or other pathways, squads feature a fascinating mix of homegrown stars and those who developed their skills elsewhere before qualifying for their adopted countries.

The following breakdown, based on data compiled by Americas Rugby News, examines the composition of various national teams, shedding light on the number of foreign-born players and how they qualify for their respective squads.

This international blend underlines rugby’s global nature, with some nations leaning on overseas-born talent more than others. Ahead of round two, we've broken down the squads – and Scotland lead the way by a mile when it comes to foreign-born players.