World Rugby has allowed a revolutionary change in the eligibility guidelines for rugby unions around the world.
It means that participants will be able to identify other nations starting January 2022, after a stand-down interval for three years.
Participants can transfer to any country of their, their parents’, or grandparents’ starting, but can only swap allegiances as soon as they are ready.
Surprisingly, more than 75% of World Rugby council votes approved Wednesday’s ruling.
According to the governing body, the new direction will “profit players and increase rugby’s global competitiveness”.
Invoice Beaumont, chairman of World Rugby, said: “We have now listened to our members and gamers and tried to replace the regulation recognising skilled rugby setting with no compromise to the integrity of international sport.”
The worldwide gamers’ union has also backed the transfer, stating that the decision is the result of years of work with their members.
Omar Hassanein, chief of Worldwide Gamers Union, stated that “Many gamers around the world will now benefit from the opportunity to characterize their nation or their ancestors’ start. This will serve as an actual boost to the competitiveness and will in turn profit the sport as a whole.”
However, this ruling will not be in favor of Samoa and Tonga. Charles Piutau, an ex-All Black, will also benefit from it. There will likely be strong opposition from other rising nations that value the right to choose from home-grown players and will not profit from the ruling.
Every participant who meets the requirements can instantly apply for a change. There is a possibility that the participant may be designated the second Six Nations part of their profession within the 2022 Six Nations.
