Quote: Munshkin "I kind of agree with him.
It's down to specifics I think. Was it not Nigel Vagana that suggested the best idea. Once you are selected for a "major" national squad you can not switch to another "major" national team. So no Rangi Chase suddenly turning up in an England shirt. Residency rules should be rejected.
But, and here's the kicker, you could still be eligible and then play for a developing nation (outside the top ten shall we say for sake of argument) and vice versa. The problem is, of course, that for home nations some players might opt to hold out for an England shirt, rather than playing for one of the three others (which could be their loss big time). That'd be the time to bring up/back the GB lions on every second or third year to keep everyone happy.'"
I'd say outside the top four or five of Australia, New Zealand, England and France and probably PNG.
Otherwise, you'd have a situation where there are players who qualify for Ireland/ Wales/ Scotland who want to hold out and play for England, when you could have a Danny Brough or a Mike McIllorum playing for a developing nation and helping out younger players adjust to international rugby.