The 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off in little over a week's time, with hosts France taking on the All Blacks in what will be a blockbuster opening contest. The eyes of the world will be on the tournament, as the 20 best rugby nations from around the globe compete for the right to lift the prestigious Web Ellis trophy.
All rugby players dream to one day represent their country on the biggest stage, however it is quite a common occurrence to see players run out for nations, that are different to their place of birth. These 'foreign born' players can often be integral parts of an international set-up, with each Rugby World Cup match set to portray a diverse landscape, that encapsulates the global game.
Within the modern rugby landscape, a player can certainly be 'home grown', despite being born in a different country (eg George North - born in England and is a product of Wales). Also, following World Rugby's adaptations to the eligibility laws, some players will be running out at the Rugby World Cup, despite having previously represented a different nation at an earlier competition.
The latest laws dictate that following a 36-month stand-down from international test matches, a player can represent a second nation, permitting that they are of course eligible via ancestry or residency.
Steven Luatua, Captain of Bristol Bears during the warm up before the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Semi Final Match between Wasps and Bristol Bears at Ricoh Arena on 10 October. Photo: Steve Bond/PPAUK/Gallagher
The Pacific Island nations of Samoa and Tonga are making full use out of this law change, with former All Blacks and Wallabies stars joining their ranks for the upcoming trip to France.
So let's meet these players, here are all of the foreign-born players, who will be heading to France for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Research has been conducted via All Rugby and It's Rugby databases, as well as the official squad announcements.
Update 04/09/23 - This article was first published on 30/08/23, and has since been updated with research by Americas Rugby News.
POOL A
NEW ZEALAND (9)
Ethan de Groot - Australia (Prop)
Neto Laulala - Samoa (Prop)
Ofa Tu'ungafasi - Tonga (Prop)
Tyrel Lomax - Australia (Prop)
Samisoni Taukei'aho - Tonga (Hooker)
Shannon Frizell - Tonga (Back Row)
Finlay Christie - Scotland (Scrum Half)
Leicester Fainga'anuku - Tonga (Winger)
Emoni Narawa - Fiji (Winger)
FRANCE (2)
Paul Willemse - South Africa (Lock)
Uini Atonio - New Zealand (Prop)
ITALY (12)
Ivan Nemer - Argentina (Prop)
Hame Faiva - New Zealand (Hooker)
David Sisi - Germany (Lock)
Dino Lamb - England (Lock)
Sebastian Negri - Zimbabwe (Back Row)
Toa Halafihi - New Zealand (Back Row)
Martin Page-Relo - France (Scrum Half)
Stephen Varney - Wales (Scrum Half)
Juan Ignacio Brex - Argentina (Centre)
Paolo Odogwu - England (Winger)
Monty Ioane - New Zealand (Winger)
Ange Capuozzo - France (Fullback)
URUGUAY (1)
Baltazar Amaya - Argentina (Fullback)
NAMIBIA (1)
Image Credit: Vodacom Bulls
Tiaan De Klerk - South Africa (Lock)
POOL B
SOUTH AFRICA (0)
IRELAND (8)
Finlay Bealham - Australia (Prop)
Rob Herring - South Africa (Hooker)
Joe McCarthy - United States (Lock)
Jeremy Loughman - United States (Lock)
Jamison Gibson-Park - New Zealand (Scrum Half)
Bundee Aki - New Zealand (Centre)
James Lowe - New Zealand (Winger)
Mack Hansen - Australia (Winger)
SCOTLAND (15)
Pierre Schoeman - South Africa (Prop)
Javan Sebastian - Wales (Prop)
WP Nel - South Africa (Prop)
Ewan Ashman - Canada (Hooker)
Hamish Watson - England (Back Row)
Jack Dempsey - Australia (Back Row)
Sam Skinner - England (Back Row)
Ali Price - England (Scrum Half)
Ben White - England (Scrum Half)
Ben Healy - Ireland (Fly Half)
Cameron Redpath - France (Centre)
Chris Harris - England (Centre)
Kyle Steyn - South Africa (Centre)
Sione Tuipulotu - Australia (Centre)
Duhan van der Merwe - South Africa (Winger)
TONGA (20)
Ben Tameifuna - New Zealand (Prop)
Feao Fotuaika - Australia (Prop)
Tau Koloamatangi - New Zealand (Prop)
Joe Apikotoa - New Zealand (Prop)
Samiuela Moli - New Zealand (Hooker)
Paula Ngauamo - New Zealand (Hooker)
Sam Lousi - New Zealand (Lock)
Adam Coleman - Australia (Lock)
Steve Mafi - Australia (Back Row)
Augustine Pulu - New Zealand (Scrum Half)
William Havili - New Zealand (Fly Half)
Otumaka Mausia - New Zealand (Fly Half)
Manu Paea - New Zealand (Centre)
Afusipa Taumoepeau - Australia (Centre)
Pita Ahki - New Zealand (Centre)
George Moala - New Zealand (Centre)
Charles Piutau - New Zealand (Fullback)
Fini Inisi - New Zealand (Winger)
Kyren Taumoefolau - New Zealand (Winger)
Anzelo Tuitavuki - New Zealand (Winger)
ROMANIA (9)
Thomas Crețu - France (Prop)
Gheorghe Gajion - Moldova (Prop)
Robert Irimescu - United States (Hooker)
Adrian Motoc - France (Lock)
Sioeli Lama - Tonga (Scrum Half)
Tangimana Fonovai - Tonga (Centre)
Jason Tomane - New Zealand (Centre)
Tevita Manumua - Tonga (Centre)
Taylor Gontineac - France (Centre)
Nicolas Onuțu - France (Winger)
Taliauli Sikuea - Tonga (Winger)
Hinckley Vaovasa - New Zealand (Fullback)
POOL C
WALES (10)
Tomas Francis - England (Prop)
Henry Thomas - England (Prop)
Will Rowlands - England (Lock)
Christ Tshiunza - DR Congo (Back Row)
Dan Lydiate - England (Back Row)
Taulupe Faletau - Tonga (Back Row)
Gareth Anscombe - New Zealand (Fly Half)
Johnny Williams - England (Centre)
Nick Tompkins - England (Centre)
George North - England (Centre)
AUSTRALIA (7)
Taniela Tupou - Tonga (Prop)
Jordan Uelese - New Zealand (Hooker)
Will Skelton - New Zealand (Lock)
Samu Kerevi - Fiji (Centre)
Marika Koroibete - Fiji (Winger)
Lalakai Foketi - New Zealand (Centre)
Suliasi Vunivalu - Fiji (Winger)
FIJI (5)
Sam Matavesi - England (Hooker)
Zuriel Togiatama - New Zealand (Hooker)
Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta - New Zealand (Lock)
Isoa Nasilasila - Australia (Lock)
Caleb Muntz - New Zealand (Fly Half)
GEORGIA (1)
Merab Sharikadze - Russia (Centre)
PORTUGAL (10)
Mike Tadjer - France (Hooker)
Anthony Alves - France (Prop)
Francisco Fernandes - France (Prop)
Lionel Campergue - France (Hooker)
Steevy Cerqueira - France (Lock)
Nicolas Martins - France (Back Row)
Thibault de Freitas - France (Back Row)
Samuel Marques - France (Scrum Half)
Joris Moura - France (Fly Half)
Vincent Pinto - France (Winger)
POOL D
ENGLAND (5) (*6)
Bevan Rodd - Scotland (Prop)
David Ribbans - South Africa (Lock)
Billy Vunipola - Australia (Back Row)
Manu Tuilagi - Samoa (Centre)
Marcus Smith - Philippines (Fly Half)
Henry Arundell - Akrotiri and Dhekelia (Winger) (*British Overseas Territory)
JAPAN (18)
Asaeli Ai Valu - Tonga (Prop)
Gu Ji Won - South Korea (Prop)
Sione Halasili - Tonga (Prop)
Craig Millar - New Zealand (Prop)
Jack Cornelsen - Australia (Lock)
Warner Dearns - New Zealand (Lock)
Amato Fakatava - Tonga (Lock)
Amanakai Saumaki - Tonga (Lock)
James Moore - Australia (Lock)
Ben Gunter - Thailand (Back Row)
Pieter Labuschagne - South Africa (Back Row)
Michael Leitch - Fiji (Back Row)
Dylan Riley - Australia (Centre)
Jone Naikabula - Fiji (Winger)
Semisi Masirewa - Fiji (Winger)
Siosaia Fifita - Tonga (Winger)
Lomano Lava Lemeki - New Zealand (Winger)
Kotaro Matsushima - South Africa (Fullback)
ARGENTINA (0)
SAMOA (24)
Charlie Faumuina - New Zealand (Prop)
Seilala Lam - New Zealand (Prop)
Michael Alaalatoa - Australia (Prop)
Paul Alo-Emile - Australia (Prop)
Luteru Tolai - New Zealand (Hooker)
Sama Malolo - Australia (Hooker)
Chris Vui - New Zealand (Lock)
Sam Slade - New Zealand (Lock)
Brian Alainu'uese - New Zealand (Lock)
Steven Luatua - New Zealand (Back Row)
Taleni Seu - New Zealand (Back Row)
So'otala Fa'aso'o - New Zealand (Back Row)
Sa Jordan Taufua - New Zealand (Back Row)
Ere Enari - New Zealand (Scrum Half)
Jonathan Taumateine - New Zealand (Scrum Half)
D'angelo Leuila - New Zealand (Fly Half)
Christian Leali'ifano - Australia (Fly Half)
Lima Sopoaga - New Zealand (Fly Half)
Duncan Paia'aua - New Zealand (Centre)
Ulupano Junior Seuteni - Australia (Centre)
Neria Formai - New Zealand (Centre)
Ben Lam - New Zealand (Winger)
Nigel Ah Wong - New Zealand (Winger)
Danny Toala - New Zealand (Fullback)
CHILE (1)
Image Credit: Old John's Rugby
Iñaki Gurruchaga - Uruguay (Hooker)
Salvador Lues - Peru (Prop)
Matias Garafulic - Brazil (Centre)
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