Law change lowers count of foreign-born players in Ireland and Scotland squads

The residency requirement for eligibility has been extended from three years to five. That means players moving abroad as adults now have to wait longer before they can represent their adopted country, potentially delaying or preventing international careers.

For Ireland, the effect is clear. Jamison Gibson-Park, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, and Mack Hansen all moved to Ireland as adults to play professionally.

Under the old three-year rule, most were quickly eligible, but the new five-year rule would have postponed — or even blocked — their international careers. That’s half of the foreign-born players in recent squads who wouldn’t have qualified under the extended residency period.

Scotland could also feel the change. Pierre Schoeman and Duhan van der Merwe qualified through residency after moving from South Africa, meaning the new rule would have delayed their availability. Sione Tuipulotu, by contrast, qualifies via ancestry — his grandmother was born in Scotland — so the residency extension doesn’t affect him.

The implications are significant. Teams that have relied on fast-tracked foreign talent will have to rethink their selection strategies, while nations with strong domestic pathways might gain a relative advantage.

For Ireland and Scotland, it could mean fewer instant upgrades from abroad and a greater emphasis on nurturing homegrown talent.

World Rugby may have slipped the rule change in quietly, but for national squads, it could reshape the game for years to come.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso — born in Cardiff, Wales

Bevan Rodd — born in Dunoon, Scotland

Tom Roebuck — born in Inverness, Scotland

Sam Underhill — born in Dayton, Ohio, USA

Marcus Smith — born in Manila, Philippines

5 of the 36 players (about 14%) were born outside England, representing birthplaces in Wales, Scotland, the USA, and the Philippines.

Ben Carter — born in Crowborough, East Sussex, England

Taulupe Faletau — born in Tofoa, Tonga

Archie Griffin — born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Danny Southworth — born in Barnstaple, England

Freddie Thomas — born in Gloucester, England

5 of the 36 players (about 14%) were born outside Wales, representing birthplaces in England, Tonga, and Australia.

Bundee Aki — born in Auckland, New Zealand

Jamison Gibson‑Park — born in Great Barrier Island, New Zealand

James Lowe — born in Nelson, New Zealand

Mack Hansen — born in Canberra, Australia

Finlay Bealham — born in Canberra, Australia

Joe McCarthy — born in Manhattan, New York, USA

Cormac Izuchukwu — born in London, England

Ciarán Frawley — born in Sydney, Australia

8 of the 34 players (about 24%) were born outside Ireland, representing birthplaces in New Zealand, Australia, the USA, and England.

Fergus Burke — born in Gisborne, New Zealand

Sione Tuipulotu — born in Frankston, Victoria, Australia

Duhan van der Merwe — born in George, South Africa

Ben White — born in Stoke‑on‑Trent, England

Ewan Ashman — born in Toronto, Canada

Josh Bayliss — born in Tiverton, England

Jack Dempsey — born in Sydney, Australia

Nathan McBeth — born in Welkom, South Africa

Elliot Millar Mills — born in Stockport, England

Andy Onyeama‑Christie — born in Bristol, England

Pierre Schoeman — born in Mbombela (Nelspruit), South Africa

Kyle Steyn — born in Johannesburg, South Africa

15 of the 36 players (about 42%) were born outside Scotland, representing birthplaces in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, England, and Canada.