Ireland international John Cooney could switch allegiance to Scotland before the 2023 Rugby World Cup, according to Extra.IE.
The 32-year-old has Scottish roots through his Glaswegian father and spurned an offer to switch allegiances in 2012 before making his Ireland debut in 2017.
His father, John Cooney senior, who was born in Blantyre in South Lanarkshire, , was a journalist who worked for the
Glasgow Herald before becoming European correspondent, and later religious affairs correspondent, for The Irish Times
Cooney won the last of his 11 Ireland caps came in February 2020 against England, which means he'd be eligible to make the swap next February.
Players can switch nations if they have been stood down from international rugby for three years and they, or a parent or grandparent, were born in the country they wish to represent.
DID YOU KNOW? He is the first player to play over 20 games for three different Irish province (Connacht, Leinster, Ulster)
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Five England stars who could still swap nations before the 2023 World Cup
They could all swap nations ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
#1. Nathan Hughes (England to Fiji)
- Age: 31
- Position: Number 8
- Current number of caps: 20
- Last cap: March, 2019
- Did you know? His uncle, Asaeli Hughes, is a former dual international having represented Fiji in both basketball and 15s rugby
Hughes, who grew up in the sugar cane town of Lautoka on the west coast of the main Fijian island of Viti Levu, has. revealed that he has full support from the RFU to swap nations after moving to Japan.
Gallagher Man of the Match Nathan Hughes of Bath Rugby on his Bath Rugby debut during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Harlequins at the Recreation Ground on 28 Jan. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#2. Alex Lozowski (England to Italy)
- Age: 28
- Position: Fly-half, Centre, Wing, Fullback
- Current number of caps: 5
- Last cap: November, 2018
- Did you know? Lozowski is the son of Rob Lozowski and was a sporting allrounder in his teenage years, playing not only rugby for the Wasps academy but also football for the Chelsea academy
'I feel an English bloke. At the moment that is where my loyalties lie, even if I'm not going to get picked," said Lozowski.
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),
"That might not make sense to some people because they might think if I'm not getting picked for England, I may as well go and play for Italy. But I'm the type of player who needs to be all in to play for a team. At this stage of my career, I'm still passionately English.
'Eddie Jones said it's up to me which at the end of the day it is. If I hadn't played for England then maybe I wouldn't feel as English as I do. Because I have, I have that attachment.'
'I always thought when I was growing up that it was peculiar you could play for more than one country. If I'm honest about it, my grandmother was Italian, but I've never lived in Italy.
"Potentially that got me considered for the squad, but sometimes being on standby is worse than being completely forgotten about!'
#3. Denny Solomona (England to Fiji)
- Age: 28
- Position: Winger
- Current number of caps: 5
- Last cap: June, 2018
- Did you know? Solomona feels that meeting senior players can be important for the motivation and development of school age players.
After leaving Sale Sharks, Solomona has revealed that theRFU are in full support of him representing Fiji in the future.
#4. Danny Cipriani (England to Trinidad & Tobago)
- Age: 34
- Position: Fly-half
- Current number of caps: 16
- Last cap: June, 2018
- Did you know? A keen all-round sportsman, Cipriani played junior football for Queens Park Rangers and was offered youth terms by Reading
It’s been suggested that the switch could be funded by World Rugby, who are looking to encourage former elite rugby players to represent third tier nations to help raise the sports profile in that country.
Cipriani has been heavily linked with a move to Major League Rugby in the USA after the fly-half confirmed he will be heading 'to a new country' following his departure from Bath at the end of the season.
The 34-year-old’s father is Afro-Trinidadian with some Italian heritage while his mother is English. They’re currently ranked 53rd in the world.
Bath Rugby player Danny Cipriani during the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Nov 5th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
#5. George McGuigan (England Saxons to Ireland)
- Age: 29
- Position: Hooker
- Current number of caps: 2
- Last cap: June, 2016
- Did you know? McGuigan represented Ireland U18 and U20 before switching his allegiance to England
The 28-year-old, who is the second top try-scorer in the Gallagher Premiership with 14, continues to be overlooked by England boss Eddie Jones. Munster, who want to strengthen their hooking options, are now reportedly keeping tabs on the Newcastle Falcons’ ace according to The Rugby Paper.
