Which Six Nations Squad Has the Most Foreign-Born Players?

Friday, 22 January 2021 at 23:48

byRugby Rucker

This year, just over 22% of players from the four squads named for the 2021 Six Nations were born outside the country they are playing for.

The topic in question is hugely popular as people both criticize and defend the use of players from abroad. The extent, though, in which some countries have been utilizing the system to nationalize talent over three years saw World Rugby take action in 2017, setting new regulations which, from December 2021, require players to have five years of consecutive residency or 10 years of cumulative residency.

Find out who has the most as we rank the Six Nations participants from least to most

*Ireland and Italy will be added once they confirm their squads

4. England - 2 players

Billy Vunipola (Sydney, Australia)
Sam Underhill (Ohio, USA)

3. France - 4 players

Uini Atonio (Timaru, New Zealand)
Bernard Le Roux (Western Cape, South Africa)
Paul Willemse (Pretoria, South Africa)
Virimi Vakatawa (Naitasiri, Fiji)

WALES – 12 players

WillGriff John (Plymouth, England)
Tomas Francis, (York, England)
Will Rowlands (London, England)
Jake Ball (Ascot, England)
Dan Lydiate (Salford, England)
Josh Macleod (Montecarlo, Monaco)
Taulupe Faletau (Tofoa, Tonga)
Nick Tompkins (Sidcup, England)
Jonathan Davies (Solihull, England)
Johnny Williams (Western-Super-Mare, England)
Hallam Amos (Stockport, England)
George North (Kings Lynn, England)

1. Scotland - 15 players

Despite having one less foreign-born player than 2020 (16), Gregor Townsend’s roster still contains more than any other competitor in the Six Nations. Of note is that that over half of the Foreign-Born players qualify via a Grandparent. This qualification path may not survive should World Rugby adopt additional tightening of eligibility laws.