Manu Tuilagi could ditch England under the new rule (Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Two England internationals could potentially switch allegiance ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Red Roses star Manu Tuilagi and Munster centre Dan Kelly are two of several players who could change their international team due to an amended rule.
The World Cup draw has been conducted, revealing the opponents for the 24 nations who will be competing in Australia. England and Wales have been drawn together in Pool F, while other notable pairings include Ireland and Scotland in Pool D, as well as Australia and New Zealand in Pool A. However, with less than two years until the tournament starts, many players could change their international allegiances and represent a different nation in Australia.
A 2021 amendment by World Rugby permits players to transfer once from one union to another, providing more opportunities for nations to be better represented in major tournaments. Players can represent a different nation after a three-year stand-down period, provided they were born in the country they wish to transfer to or have a parent or grandparent born there. Others can qualify based on residency, which was extended from three to five years in 2022.
Under the updated Regulation 8 criteria, a player can only change unions once and each case must be approved by the World Rugby Regulations Committee. Several players, including Charles Piutau, George Moala and Jean Kleyn, have already made the switch, but more are expected to do so before the next World Cup. Here’s a look at some players who could change their international teams.
Manu Tuilagi – England to Samoa
The 34-year-old centre has made 60 appearances for England and last represented the country during the 2024 Six Nations. As a result, the Samoan-born star would only be eligible to switch to his home country at the upcoming World Cup. He has left the door open, telling Rugby Union Weekly that it “depends on if I’m still able to compete.”
He added: “It’s the World Cup – if you go, you go to win and to give your best, not just so you can say I’ll play another World Cup. I’ll be 36 then, so I don’t know. We’ll see.”
Benhard Janse van Rensburg – South Africa to England
The 28-year-old Bristol Bears player has never represented South Africa at a senior level, having played for the U20s back in 2016. However, this was deemed an eligible team at the time, so Janse van Rensburg had to approach World Rugby to cut ties with the Springboks.
This means he could potentially represent England at the World Cup, as he will have completed his five-year residency period and could receive approval from World Rugby.
Dan Kelly is eligible for Ireland (Image: Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)Dan Kelly – England to Ireland
Kelly, who was born in Rochdale, represented Ireland at the U20s level. He made his debut for his birth country in 2021 and is now eligible to play for Ireland, having qualified through his grandparents.
The 24-year-old has already played for the Ireland A team and could switch sides if chosen by Andy Farrell.
David Ribbans – England to South Africa
Born in South Africa, Ribbans qualified to play for England on ancestry grounds but last represented the country at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. This means he would be eligible to change allegiances next autumn.
However, unlike Tuilagi and Kelly, he’s not keen to consider a potential switch. Speaking to Planet Rugby, the 30-year-old stated: “Look, I’m aware of reports last week about international futures and one thing I’ll stress is I don’t like the concept of changing countries for convenience. I played for England, and for sure, I’d love to do that again – so that is a desire, for sure.”
Hoskins Sotutu – New Zealand to England or Fiji
Sotutu has lost favour with the All Blacks since Scott Robertson succeeded Ian Foster as head coach. The 27-year-old last played in 2022, meaning he can switch immediately.
However, Sotutu has two options – England or Fiji. He qualifies for the Red Roses through his mother Adelita, but could choose to follow in his father’s footsteps by representing Fiji.
Hoskins Sotutu could switch to England (Image: Phil Walter/Getty Images) Tyrone Green – South Africa to England
Green shone for the South African U20s side but is eligible to make the transition and turn out for England as early as 2026. However, the 27-year-old told Planet Rugby in 2024 that he would delay making a decision in order to concentrate on his club side Harlequins.
He said: “That’s a bridge I’d have to cross when I get there. But at the moment I’m putting all international things behind me and try to get more silverware at Harlequins.”
Nepo Laulala – New Zealand to Samoa
Laulala has earned 53 caps since his debut in 2015 but last played for New Zealand at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Born in Samoa, the 34-year-old could switch to the Pacific Island nation in November 2026 before the next major tournament.
Akira Ioane – New Zealand to Samoa
Ioane, elder sibling of All Blacks star Rieko Ioane, last turned out for New Zealand in 2022. The 30-year-old lost favour with Ian Foster prior to his departure and has yet to be selected by Scott Robertson. Now, he could emulate his father, Eddie Ioane, in pulling on the Samoa jersey.
Shannon Frizell may switch to Tonga (Image: Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)Shannon Frizell – New Zealand to Tonga
Frizell last featured for New Zealand at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and could transfer his allegiance to his nation of birth before the next tournament Down Under. The 31-year-old will become eligible to do so from October next year.
Folau Fakatava – New Zealand to Tonga
The Tongan-born scrum-half last appeared for New Zealand in 2022. However, he could transfer to the country of his birth ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
Ngani Laumape – New Zealand to Tonga
The 32-year-old just missed out on representing Tonga at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. His last All Blacks appearance came in November 2020, which means he became eligible in 2024 to switch allegiances. He has expressed keen interest in changing nations, declaring two years ago that he would “put my hand up for Tonga.”
He added: “It would be a great opportunity to represent my parents’ country. I’m a proud Tongan, so if I was picked, I would definitely put my foot forwards.”
Lalakai Foketi could be eligible for New Zealand (Image: Mark Kolbe Photography/Getty Images)Lalakai Foketi – Australia to New Zealand
The 30-year-old pledged never to wear the Australian jersey again after initiating legal proceedings this year. Foketi revealed to Code Sport that he is pursuing claims for wrongful contract termination and outstanding wages, alleging that £25,000 ($38,000 AUS) remains unpaid.
Nevertheless, Rugby Australia maintains that he violated his contract terms by undertaking promotional activities with the Chiefs before being authorised to do so. New Zealand-born Foketi last featured for the Wallabies during the 2023 World Cup and could potentially join the All Blacks in 2026.
Rhyno Smith – South Africa to Italy
Smith will require special dispensation from World Rugby to transfer his allegiance from the Springboks to Italy, having featured for the South African 7s squad in two competitions back in 2018. Nevertheless, the full-back – who has been with Benetton since 2021 – has admitted that he would welcome the opportunity to make the change.
He said: “The Italian union hasn’t invited me to training camps or anything yet, but we’ve already talked about my eligibility and how we can make it work.
“I know I can write a letter to World Rugby and ask if I can qualify, and there are people who have already done that. It helps that I will have been in the country for five years next year. The fact that it has been seven years since I played for the Blitzboks also helps, as does the fact I have played so little.”