The British & Irish Lions have named their squad for the 2025 tour of Australia — and once again, the presence of foreign-born players is ruffling feathers.
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Lions icon Willie John McBride — a man who captained the side to glory in South Africa back in 1974 — hasn’t held back. The legendary lock, now 84, told South African outlet Rapport that he’s “bothered” by the number of players in the squad not born in Britain or Ireland.
“Eight of them weren’t born in Britain or Ireland. That’s not how it was in my day,” McBride said.
“Sixty years ago, you only played if you were a native. It’s changed, and I’m not sure it’s for the better.”
But here’s the twist: a World Rugby law change may mean McBride’s concerns could soon be outdated.
Residency Rule Extended — Too Late for This Squad
In 2024, World Rugby quietly extended the eligibility residency requirement from three years to five — a significant shift that would have blocked many of the current Lions from ever qualifying.
Had the rule been in place earlier, at least five players in Andy Farrell’s 2025 squad wouldn’t be wearing red this summer.
That includes Ireland’s Super Rugby quartet — Jamison Gibson-Park, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, and Mack Hansen— all of whom moved to Ireland as adults to play professionally. Only Hansen was already eligible upon arrival. Together, they make up half of the foreign-born Lions this year.
Scotland’s contingent also has a southern flavour. Pierre Schoeman, Duhan van der Merwe, and Sione Tuipulotu all qualified via residency or ancestry after arriving from South Africa or Australia. Tuipulotu was eligible via his Scottish grandparent but made the switch after a career in Australia and Japan.
Add in Joe McCarthy (born in the USA but raised in Dublin) and Marcus Smith (Philippines-born but a product of the English system), and the total of non-homegrown players hits eight — exactly the number McBride takes issue with.
Lions Breakdown: Who’s Representing Who?
Ireland: 15 players (4 foreign-born, all capped through residency or ancestry)
England: 13 players (1 foreign-born: Marcus Smith, but English-raised)
Scotland: 8 players (4 foreign-born, mainly South African imports)
Wales: Just 2 players — both born and bred in Cymru.
Eligibility Cheatsheet
PlayerTeamBornHomegrown?Eligibility RoutePrevious RepPierre SchoemanScotlandSouth AfricaNoResidency (2021)SA U18, U20Joe McCarthyIrelandUSAYesParent—Jamison Gibson-ParkIrelandNew ZealandNoResidency (2020)NZ MāoriMarcus SmithEnglandPhilippinesYesParent—Bundee AkiIrelandNew ZealandNoResidency (2017)—Huw JonesScotlandScotlandMixedScotland Born—Sione TuipulotuScotlandAustraliaNoGrandparentAus Schools, U20Mack HansenIrelandAustraliaNoParent (Eligible on arrival)Aus U20James LoweIrelandNew ZealandNoResidency (2020)NZ MāoriDuhan van der MerweScotlandSouth AfricaNoResidency (2020)SA Schools, U20
The Bigger Picture
While the Lions are proudly marketed as a showcase of home nations unity, the reality is increasingly global. And for critics like McBride, that change is jarring.
But with stricter eligibility rules now in place, the days of players arriving on a professional deal and qualifying three seasons later may be numbered.
Five Springboks who flopped against Australia in Rugby Championship opener
Entering the match as heavy underdogs, Schmidt’s men flipped the script and blew The Rugby Championship wide open with a performance full of belief, intensity, and precision.
But as the Wallabies soared, several key Springboks faltered. Here are five South African stars who flopped.
MARCO VAN STADEN
FLORUGBY 3/10: “His combative style is built on pushing breakdown limits, but against the Wallabies, he crossed the line too often.
“Penalised repeatedly, he failed to adapt as Australia grew in confidence. When his pack needed bite in the second half, van Staden’s influence faded badly. Easily one of his poorest outings in green.”
Rugby Pass 5/10: “Looked lively in the first 20, then forced off for a concussion check. Returned but never rediscovered his edge, conceding penalties and missing tackles.”
The South African 5/10: “Another one who was solid in the Springboks’ dominant first half, but faded into obscurity in the second, much like most of his teammates.”
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