There is a precedent in wrestling as in the early 90s Sgt Slaughter who previously had only represented the united states started representing the Iraqi nation. It didn't go down too well.

How very fickle of him.

For those delighted... Why stop at Chase?

Because nobody of sufficient quality and eligibility wants to play for England?

How about:

"You're good, but to play for England you have to get in front of any random johnny foreigner who can't get into his own national side but fancies a go."

So much racism in this thread it's untrue
Not racist, just narrow minded and stupid

As the policy on international players is usually about where you come from and which strip of land's people you choose to represent it's not really a racism issue along normal lines and the debate shouldn't really go down that route in any reasonable board.

Abandon ship then.

So someone who wishes to apply to become a citizen of a country can never represent that country? Just because they were born somewhere else that means they can NEVER be considered to be from the country they work in and call home?

What about someone who, in 2 years time, will definately think about applying for citizenship - as Rangi Chase says he will?

I think the solution is fairly obvious - anyone who wants to play for the nation applies for dual citizenship first. When they are a citizen, then they are eligible.

If he wants to apply to be British, then good for him, but he should have wait for two years before he can play then. In what other sport can you represent a country without having a passport for them?

Every sport recognises the reality of migration, recognises that people move from one country to another, and that they even change nationality, That is why the 3-year residency qualification is pretty standard across all sports.

Every sport, the eligibility rules are the same, it just happens that in Britain it falls 2 years before you can become a citizen.

Look at Tuilagi in Union, he was struggling to get a visa at the start of the year, now he's an England international!

What?

What?

When did I....what???