World Rugby’s residency rule is set to come under review – ‘We just need to take stock’

RUGBY’S INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCY rule is being placed under the microscope and is being currently reviewed by World Rugby chiefs.

At the moment, any player can play for a country after having lived there for three years so long as they have yet to make an international appearance.

Ireland have benefited from the rule with availability of New Zealand-born Jared Payne while Scotland have included Josh Strauss and WP Nel – natives of South Africa – in their training squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

The move was outlined by World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper, when speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live today.

“We are doing a consultation with the unions to determine what their view is,” stated Gosper.

“Certainly Bernard Lapasset (World Rugby president) feels it is something that needs to be looked at and I think I share his view.

“The integrity of the international game is important, there is a lot of player movement internationally, and we just need to take stock.

What do you think? Is it time for rugby’s international residency rules to be reviewed? Let us know in the comments section below.

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