Why don't they bring in conscription for these guys who are committed to their new country.

The Nepalese Gurkhas fight for the British Army and then they get British residency in return for it.

Surely as Rangi now feels English and has got this patriotic pride for our country he could do 18 months in the army and do an Afghan tour. Then he could earn his right to play for England and nobody would complain.

What about England's heroic World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson.

Here he is playing for the Junior All Blacks against Junior Wallabies in 1990.

i wasnt aware of that, was he actually born over there? are his family kiwis?

NZ can keep Hansen, he's just turd. How he's got an international cap at any level amazes me. Leuleui though, quality.

No he was born and went to school here but when he was a teenager Colin Meads who was an All Black legend approached him about going to play for a provincial side in NZ. He moved over there and played for a couple of seasons and played for the All Black U21s, but then his Kiwi girlfriend (who is now his wife) wanted to see the world so he came back to England, signed with Leicester and got called up fairly quickly by the England selectors.

So its a bit similar to the Martin Gleeson situation with Australia (although Gleeson spent part of his school years in Aus).

I thought Gleeson spent most of his schooldays in Oddbins

So really he had no place playing for the All Blacks? (just my opinion) as he was never anything other than English, you cant blame him for taking the opportunity (especially at such a young age) but its the system thats at fault I think

I thought Widdop was the rising star at stand-off, what with him playing for Melbourne regularly and that? Now he's got a Kiwi competing for his place...bit odd, this.

It is not too difficult to summise my position on the matter. My view is similiar to wigan (repeatedly) breaking the cap or, to a similiar extent, watching chelsea play football a few years ago. If you are gonna play a game (to strict rules; ie a game) then why go against them. It reall is a question of 'what is the point?' As the criteria becomes looser and looser the purpose to watch diminishes. If the possibility of anyone playing for any team (eg chase playing for exiles and then england) I may as well watch randomers play in the park. The game has become pointless. There is nothing to prove.

I would rather england lose often and know they are sheet than know a team of random mercenaries can beat a team of other mercenaries on the other side of the world.

It is just my opinion and I am certainly not trying to protect some english identity. I want to watch a meaningful game that entertains me.

He's just won MoS as well.

Good! It has been a few years since an englishman has won it.

Was his turning nationality, his '30 peices of silver'?

Under this resident rule where Rangi Chase has qualified for England, lets see what sort of team we could put out.

1. Brent Webb
2. Tom Briscoe
3. Matt King
4. Jake Webster/George Carmont
5. Ryan Hall
6. Rangi Chase
7. Danny Brough
8. James Graham
9. Michael Monaghan
10. Garreth Carvell
11. Gareth Ellis
12. Steve Menzies
13. Sam Burgess

14. James Roby
15. Kylie Leuluai
16. Adrian Morley
17. Joel Tomkins

Ryan Hall? Screw that. Get Pat Richards in there.

The sad thing is, the complete lack of pride to play for you country has gone. It should be an honour to pull on the jumper, sing the anthem and go out to play for queen and country, whereas its now seen as a CV builder. No passion and commitment is what has killed our international game