Last December, the World Rugby Council have approved proposals which will enable rugby players to represent the country of their or their ancestors’ birth.
All player would be able to swap nations after a three-year stand-down period from their last international cap.
Having been passed, it could change the face of Test rugby as we know it.
But who could be some of the players who would be affected by the changes in the build-up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup?
Players who could swap nations for the 2023 World Cup (Planet Rugby)
Alex Lozowski – England to Italy
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),
John Cooney – Ireland to Scotland
Julian Savea – New Zealand to Samoa
CARDIFF, WALES – OCTOBER 17: Julian Savea of the New Zealand All Blacks is awarded the Man of the Match award following the 2015 Rugby World Cup Quarter Final match between New Zealand and France at the Millennium Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matt Lewis – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Morgan Parra – France to Portugal
Morgan Parra Of ASM Clermont Auvergne – Photo mandatory by-line: Gareth Davies/Pinnacle – Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 – Mobile:0797 1270 681 – VAT Reg No: 183700120 – 02/05/2015 – SPORT – RUGBY UNION – EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL – ASM Clermont Auvergne v RC Toulon – Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London, England.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow – New Zealand to Australia
Nathan Hughes – England to Fiji
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
