World Rugby make major law change that slashes number of foreign-born British & Irish Lions
Rugby NewsThursday, 17 July 2025 at 16:07
Lions legend Willie John McBride has hit out at the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad, blasting the British & Irish Lions icon Willie John McBride has hit out at the modern makeup of the squad, slamming the inclusion of foreign-born players.
“Eight of them weren’t born in Britain or Ireland. That’s not how it was in my day,” he said. “Sixty years ago, you only played if you were a native. It’s changed, and I’m not sure it’s for the better.”
But McBride’s concerns may soon be a thing of the past.
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World Rugby law change set to slash foreign-born Lions
In 2024, World Rugby extended the residency qualification period from three to five years — a huge change that flew under the radar but would’ve blocked several of this summer’s Lions from ever pulling on the red jersey.
Had the new rule come in earlier, at least five players in Andy Farrell’s 2025 squad would’ve missed out.
That includes Ireland’s Super Rugby quartet — Jamison Gibson-Park, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, and Mack Hansen— all of whom moved to Ireland as adults to play professionally. Only Hansen was already eligible upon arrival. Together, they make up half of the foreign-born Lions this year.
Scotland's contingent also has a southern flavour. Pierre Schoeman, Duhan van der Merwe, and Sione Tuipulotu all qualified via residency or ancestry after arriving from South Africa or Australia. Tuipulotu was eligible via his Scottish grandparent but made the switch after a career in Australia and Japan.
Add in Joe McCarthy (born in the USA but raised in Dublin) and Marcus Smith (Philippines-born but a product of the English system), and the total of non-homegrown players hits eight — exactly the number McBride takes issue with.
Lions Breakdown: Who’s Representing Who?
| Player | Team | Born | Eligibility | Other Rep. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierre Schoeman | Scotland | South Africa | Residency (2021) | SA U18, U20 |
| Ewan Ashman | Scotland | Canada | Parent | – |
| Finlay Bealham | Ireland | Australia | Grandparent | AU Schools |
| Joe McCarthy | Ireland | USA | Parent | – |
| Jamison Gibson-Park | Ireland | New Zealand | Residency (2020) | NZ Māori |
| Ben White | Scotland | England | Grandparent | England U20, England |
| Marcus Smith | England | Philippines | Parent | – |
| Bundee Aki | Ireland | New Zealand | Residency (2017) | – |
| Huw Jones | Scotland | Scotland | Scotland Born | – |
| Sione Tuipulotu | Scotland | Australia | Grandparent | AU Schools, U20 |
| Mack Hansen | Ireland | Australia | Parent | AU U20 |
| James Lowe | Ireland | New Zealand | Residency (2020) | NZ Māori, Schools, U15 Basketball |
| Duhan van der Merwe | Scotland | South Africa | Residency (2020) | SA Schools, U20 |
The Bigger Picture
While the Lions are proudly marketed as a showcase of home nations unity, the reality is increasingly global. And for critics like McBride, that change is jarring.
But with stricter eligibility rules now in place, the days of players arriving on a professional deal and qualifying three seasons later may be numbered.
The next Lions tour might look very different. Whether that’s a step forward or backward depends on which side of the eligibility line you stand on.
EDITORS PICKS:
Meet the rugby WAGS of the Irish Lions ahead of Australia tour
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Here's your guide to the women standing beside the Lions as they head Down Under.
IRISH LIONS RUGBY WAGS
Patti Gibson-Park – Family First, Irish Roots, and Jamison’s Biggest Support (Jamison Gibson-Park)
Becoming an Irish citizen was an easy call for Jamison Gibson-Park — thanks to the strong family life he and wife Patti have built here.
Together they’re raising three kids — Jai, Isabella, and Iris — and Jamison says settling in Ireland has made all the difference. “My family is unbelievably well settled, which makes my job easier. I can just focus on doing my thing,” he told EVOKE.
Grateful for their new home, Jamison was more than happy to make Ireland official.
Ellen Ringrose – The Childhood Sweetheart (Garry Ringrose)
Garry Ringrose and Ellen Beirne tied the knot in June 2023 at the dreamy Virginia Park Lodge in Cavan.
Speaking to EVOKE, the Irish centre couldn’t stop gushing: “Ellen is the best... she’s a huge support, especially in the not-so-good times.” Childhood sweethearts to power couple status achieved.
Sarah Bealham – Marbella “I Do’s”, Motherhood, and Bealham’s Biggest Win (Finlay Bealham)
2024 was a year to remember for Finlay and Sarah Bealham, as they welcomed their first child — a baby boy named Joaquin — right in the middle of Ireland’s Six Nations camp.
The loved-up pair said "I do" back in August 2022 at the stunning Finca la Concepcion in Marbella, a year on from Finlay’s romantic proposal in Puerto Banús.
Katherine Egan – Medicine, Hockey, and Sheehan’s No.1 (Dan Sheehan)
Dan Sheehan’s long-term girlfriend Katherine Egan is as accomplished as they come. A hockey player for UCD and a Medicine student — she’s got brains, brawn, and ambition to spare.
She’s even studied in the U.S., proving she’s just as at home overseas as Dan might be on tour.
She’s even studied in the U.S., proving she’s just as at home overseas as Dan might be on tour.
Sophie de Patoul – Castle Wedding Royalty (Josh van der Flier)
Josh van der Flier married his Belgian/Irish partner Sophie in a fairytale 2022 wedding at Luttrellstown Castle.
The flanker popped the question in July 2021, and Sophie’s been in the crowd (and the camera shots) at many big Ireland games ever since.
Harriet Beirne – Welsh Beauty with an Irish Base (Tadhg Beirne)
Tadhg met Harriet on a night out in Cardiff back in 2018, and after a bit of long distance, the couple settled down in Ireland.
They tied the knot at Kilkea Castle in 2022, and just bought a new home together, with Harriet teasing “exciting and most likely stressful times ahead” in 2025. Big year incoming!
Kayla Aki – Mum of Four and Bundee’s Rock (Bundee Aki)
Bundee Aki and wife Kayla have one of the most established relationships in the Ireland camp. Married in 2018, the couple share four children: daughters Armani-Jade, Adrianna, and Ailbhe (born at home in 2022), and son Andronikas.
Emma Hempenstall – Private Life, Pitchside Views, and Keenan’s Long-Term Love (Hugo Keenan)
Emma Hempenstall has been by Hugo Keenan’s side for over three years, so she’s well used to life on the rugby sidelines.
The couple keep things pretty private online, but they’ve been snapped at a few weddings and turning up together to support from the stands.
Arni Lowe – From NZ to Dublin, Vegas Vows, and Ringrose’s Co-Pilot in Life (James Lowe)
Arni and James Lowe made the big move from New Zealand to Ireland back in 2017 when James signed with Leinster — and they’ve been building a beautiful life together ever since.
In true low-key style, the long-time couple surprised everyone by eloping to Las Vegas in 2022. Just a year later, they hit another major milestone with the arrival of their son, Nico.
James has often praised Arni as his “co-pilot” on the parenting journey, especially as their little man celebrated his first birthday in April.
Elaine Porter – New Mum, Quiet Strength, and Porter’s Biggest Win Yet (Andrew Porter)
It’s double celebrations in the Porter household — not only has Andrew Porter been named in the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad, but he’s also just become a dad for the first time.
The 28-year-old and his wife Elaine shared the joyful news on Instagram, posting a beautiful black-and-white snap of their newborn son’s tiny hands cradled by his proud parents. The caption said it all: “Our perfect baby boy.”
Laura Sexton – From Tennis Courts to Touchlines, Family First, and Sexton’s Rock (Johnny Sexton)
Johnny Sexton is back in the Lions camp this summer — but off the pitch, it’s been all about family with Laura, his teenage sweetheart turned wife since 2013.
Their love story kicked off at Rathgar Tennis Club and has blossomed alongside Johnny’s legendary rugby career. With three kids cheering him on from the sidelines, the Sextons are as iconic off the field as Johnny is when he’s lining up a crucial kick.
From Saint Mary’s College to University College Dublin, their journey is a true testament to love, loyalty, and lasting partnership.
TOUGH QUIZ: Can you name EVERY British & Irish Lions captain of the past 50 Years?
We've got a belter of a quiz in store, as we challenge you to name EVERY British & Irish Lions tour captain of the past 50 years. We start off our quiz back on the 1974 tour of South Africa, and bring it all the way up to the Lions' latest tour to the land of the Springboks in 2021.
To make this a little bit more difficult, some of the more recent tours included multiple captains, with both needed to be named if you want to ace this Lions Tour quiz. You have six minutes to get all of your answers down, and your time starts... Now!
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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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