A popular topic of debate heading into the Rugby World Cup is that of eligibility, particularly that resulting from the residency method. We take a look at the foreign-born players in each squad, where they were born and how they are eligible.

An interesting fact – only Argentina can claim that all 31 players in their squad are native to their country. The other 19 teams all have players born abroad, including significant numbers in some of rugby’s most powerful nations.

All told, Rugby World Cup 2015 will have a grand total of 33 countries involved in the tournament. Players born in various African countries –  Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria and Zimbabwe join the participating Namibia and South Africa. Zimbabwe has players representing 4 countries, more than any other non-competitor.

Spain is another country not present at the Rugby World Cup who have players representing multiple countries while other countries include Belgium, Israel, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, and the Netherlands are also all represented.

Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa lead the way in terms of players representing others at the Rugby World Cup.

SAMOA (13):

The country with the largest number of players from abroad is Samoa. All of Samoa’s players born in another country are New Zealanders who are eligible based on having one or both parents from Samoa. A handful of them have previously represented other nations at other levels. Ole Avei played for Australia Under 21, both Kane Thompson and Faifili Levave for New Zealand Under 21, Jack Lam spent 2 years in the Australia Secondary Schools side, and Tim Nanai-Williams was a New Zealand 7s international before using the Olympic loophole to switch his allegiance during the past year.

TONGA (12):

Tonga is comparable to neighboring Samoa in that there is a large section of the World Cup roster who qualify based on their parents, having left to live in developed countries. Also like Samoa, many of Tonga’s foreign legion happen to be players who never played rugby in Tonga prior to senior tests. Tevita Mailau, Paul Ngauamo, Siale Piutau, and Telusa Veainu all played for New Zealand at age grade level, and Steve Mafi was an Australia Under 20 international before opting for the country of his father.

JAPAN (11):

Unsurprisingly the Brave Blossoms have a number of expatriate internationals, with most originally coming to Japan on professional contracts. Koliniasi Holani and Michael Leitch both moved to the country for school as teenagers, while Amanaki Mafi arrived for university. Kotaro Matsushima split his schooling between South Africa and Japan, the home country of his mother.

SCOTLAND (11):

The players qualify based on a variety of criteria with some qualifying based on living in the country while others have parents or grandparents from Scotland. A number of players involved were selected based on their ancestry before ever playing a match in the country. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne moved to Scotland at an early age, while the 3 residency players were earmarked for Scottish duty the moment they signed their contracts.

WALES (11):

Like Scotland, Wales is a Tier 1 nation packed with players born abroad. To suggest they are there on eligibility grounds, though, would be very misleading. Most of the foreign-born players in the squad grew up in Wales, with props Tomas Francis and Aaron Jarvis, second row Jake Ball, and wing Alex Cuthbert the exceptions.

FRANCE (10):

Arguably the most curious case of all is France, whose head coach has selected many foreigners in positions in which there are countless options of quality players. Why a country with 30 fully professional clubs to choose from should make such a decision is a question only Philippe Saint-André can answer. African imports Yannick Nyanga, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Sofiane Guitoune, and captain Thierry Dusautoir all moved to France during their childhoods, while Vincent Debaty arrived to pursue a professional career at the age of 18.

AUSTRALIA (9):

The multicultural Wallabies roster may at 1st glance appear to be a gathering of players groomed elsewhere, but only Henry Speight did not play schoolboy rugby in Australia, instead having done so in New Zealand. Will Skelton and Tevita Kuridrani played Under 20 rugby for Samoa and Fiji respectively, but each did so while still residing in Australia.

ITALY (9):

Often criticized as failing to produce home-grown talent, Italy is fielding fewer players from abroad at this year’s World Cup than was the case in years gone by. The flow of Argentine players into the country has decreased and a new generation of quality home-grown backs is now taking shape. Fijian loose forward Samuela Vunisa is unique in being the only Italian squad member qualifying on residency since the last World Cup.

USA (9):

In previous World Cups the USA has been closer to being among the leading countries in terms of players born abroad. Their number could even be lower had Scott LaValla not been forced out of the World Cup through injury and former captain Todd Clever mot been dropped by the coaching staff. All of their players selected on residency moved to the country either for education or employment reasons. The Suniula brothers – Andrew and Shalom – were born in American Samoa, and while not a state it is still technically a US territory.

CANADA (5):

With only 5 players born outside of Canada, Kieran Crowley’s roster is another increasingly home-produced roster. Of note is that all but one of those born abroad were selected after playing rugby domestically, with Richard Thorpe the lone exception, qualifying through his Canadian mother. Gordon McRorie is the only player to qualify after moving to the country as an adult.

IRELAND (5):

Compared to the 2 other Celtic nations, Ireland has relatively few players from abroad but has the same number as Scotland qualifying on residency grounds. The trio all found themselves playing in Ireland after having been notable players in their own rights in their native country. Jamie Heaslip and Jordi Murphy were both born while their Irish parents were working abroad.

NEW ZEALAND (5):

The reputation of ‘poaching’ players from the Pacific Islands is a subject which infuriates many a New Zealander. Any true rugby supporter has witnessed or read an argument with a kiwi defending his country against inaccuracies regarding players said to have been plucked from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga who were, in fact, born and raised in New Zealand. In addition, the likes of Olo Brown, Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, and the late Jerry Collins arrived in New Zealand as infants. The rosters above indeed showcase many New Zealand-born players of Pacific Island heritage. Of those currently on the All Blacks roster, only Malakai Fekitoa and Waisake Naholo qualify on residency in recent years, both having moved to New Zealand during their teens and subsequently picking up scholarships.

ROMANIA (4):

Romania joined Argentina and Georgia in 2011 as being the 3 only teams with no player from abroad on their rosters. Now in 2015, the Oaks have looked to improve their fortunes by bolstering their pool of players with those who qualify on the 3 year eligibility rule. The change in selection policy was brought into effect in 2012 – with Otar Turashvili the 1st import to play for Romania – enabling players to be eligible in time for this year’s Rugby World Cup. 3 Of the 4 who have made the roster all moved to the country for what was in effect a trial, and have come through to now be playing in the tournament.

ENGLAND (3):

Of the 4 Home Nations it is England which has the highest number of locally produced players. Stuart Lancaster’s 31-man roster features just Mako Vunipola, Billy Vunipola, and Brad Barritt as players born outside of England. The Vunipola brothers both moved to England with their family at a young age, while Barritt’s eligibility is more complex with him having represented South Africa at junior level. A number of others born abroad missed out on selection including Alex Corbisiero, Dylan Hartley, and Manu Tuilagi.

FIJI (3):

Considering there are players from Fiji representing Australia, France, Italy, New Zealand, and Tonga, it is of note that Fiji’s 31-man roster features only 3 players qualifying via eligibility laws. All 3 have at least 1 Fijian parent while Ben Volavola spent some of his childhood living in the country. Suggesting that Fiji punches above its weight is a grave understatement.

NAMIBIA (2):

Africa’s 2nd highest ranked country, Namibia will have just 2 players born abroad playing for the team at the World Cup. Both players are South African born and raised who qualify to represent Namibia based on parentage. Chrysander Botha and Conrad Marais were each born in Walvis Bay, which was technically still part of South Africa until 1994, when it was officially transferred to Namibia. The country has been producing an improved supply of players in recent years which could prove vital to the objective of winning a 1st ever World Cup match.

GEORGIA (1):

The Lelos have been traditionally entirely home-grown – and still are – though a mild exemption is given to Merab Sharikadze, born in Moscow to Georgian parents who returned to Tbilisi shortly after.

SOUTH AFRICA (1):

The country’s only import is Tendai Mtawarira. ‘The Beast’ was initially in South Africa playing Under 18 international rugby for his native Zimbabwe. Playing at No 8, he caught the attention of Super Rugby scouts who convinced him to play for the Sharks academy, where he would be converted into a loosehead prop. Some political hiccups have emerged since, but with his citizenship finally granted in 2010 the problems regarding his eligibility in the eyes of the bureaucrats has subsided.

URUGUAY (1):

The single exception in Los Teros is prop Alejo Corral – younger brother of former Pumas prop Matías – who was born in Buenos Aires and lives there today. He qualifies due to having spent his teenage and early adult years in Uruguay, playing rugby for Los Lobos in Punta del Este and Old Boys in Montevideo. Having moved across the Rio de la Plata in 1995, he returned to Argentina in 2003.

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