"Heart and home" - 5 current England stars who could one day swap nations - and when
Rugby NewsWednesday, 15 March 2023 at 16:00
The latest eligibility laws by World Rugby have created a possibility for several renowned England players to represent a different country from their initial capped one, both in the present and upcoming years.
These new regulations state that players can meet the transfer qualification criteria by abstaining from Test rugby for three years and being either born in the country they want to represent or have a parent or grandparent who was born there.
Although some players are more likely to do so than others, here we discuss five players who could potentially switch.
#1. Sam Underhill to USA
The Bath back-rower was born in Dayton Ohio and would therefore be eligible for the USA following a stand down from the England national side.
His father Greg was stationed there with the RAF but the family moved to Gloucester when he was about 10-years-old.
With his last cap for England in 2022, he'd have to wait until 2025 to play for the Eagles when he'd be aged just 30.
Sam Underhill of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#2. Manu Tuilagi to Samoa
In an extensive interview with The Daily Telegraph, the youngest Tuilagi revealed that while “England is very special to me, of course, but my heart and home is still Samoa.”
Manu, who is named after the Samoan national side, is the odd one out of his rugby-playing brothers, as Anitelea, Alesana, Henry and Freddie all opted to play for Manu Samoa rather than any of the European nations they spent time living in throughout their professional careers.
Correct at the time of writing, Tuilagi could be available for Samoa in 2025, though time isn't on his side as he would be 33 by then.
Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
#3. Billy Vunipola to Tonga or Australia
The 29-year-old, born in Sydney in 1992, would be free to play for the Aussies when he completes his three-years stand down from international rugby.
Winning 61 caps since making his debut in 2013, reports down under suggested Aussie chiefs wanted to make contact with the powerhouse about a potential swap prior to his recall last Autumn.
Tonga, who Billy’s Dad Fe’ao played for in the 1990s, also remain keen on the Saracens star.
Billy Vunipola of England in possession ahead of Kazuki Himeno of Japan during the Autumn International Series match between England and Japan at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 12th November 2022 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
#4. Bevan Rodd to Scotland
Despite being born in Scotland, he grew up on the Isle of Man and so was eligible to play for both England and Scotland.
Although he's been a regular member of squads in recent times, Rodd has still only won two caps with his latest coming in 2021.
Therefore, Rodd could be available for Scotland as early as 2024 unless Borthwick caps the exciting loosened again.
Bevan Rodd of England is tackled during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#5. Alex Lozowski to Italy
Lozowski, who has an Italian grandmother, could take advantage of the new World Rugby rules surrounding eligibility.
The Saracens star, who won the last of his six England caps in 2018, could swap with immediate effect following the rule change and has been approached by Italy boss Kieran Crowley.
He's also been in contact with Italian qualified speedsters Louis Lynagh and Paulo Odogowu, who are both currently uncapped.
“I have been in contact. I haven’t personally been in contact with Paolo but he has been contacted,” Crowley said at the Six Nations launch.
“The other two [Lozowski and Lynagh] I have spoken to personally. They have made decisions at the moment that I respect. I support them. I’ll keep in contact with them. But certainly if they were available, we’d certainly be looking at them. They are all quality players.
“We will keep the lines of communication open. Not only with those three but there are a number of others as well.”
Pablo Matera of Argentina on the break slipping the tackle from Sam Underhill of England Rugby and then tackled by Alex Lozowski of England Rugby during the International Old Mutual Wealth Series match between England v Argentina on 11th November 2017 at Twickenham Stadium, London, England (Photo:Phil Mingo/PPAUK),
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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