Sergio Parisse could ‘swap nations’ and make international swansong
Rugby NewsWednesday, 01 February 2023 at 09:20
In December 2022, the World Rugby Council have approved proposals which will enable rugby players to represent the country of their or their ancestors' birth.
All player would be able to swap nations after a three-year stand-down period from their last international cap.
Having been passed, it could change the face of Test rugby as we know it.
But who could be some of the players who would be affected by the changes in the build-up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup?
Players who could swap nations for the 2023 World Cup (Planet Rugby)
Alex Lozowski – England to Italy
Pablo Matera of Argentina on the break slipping the tackle from Sam Underhill of England Rugby and then tackled by Alex Lozowski of England Rugby during the International Old Mutual Wealth Series match between England v Argentina on 11th November 2017 at Twickenham Stadium, London, England (Photo:Phil Mingo/PPAUK),
John Cooney – Ireland to Scotland
Julian Savea – New Zealand to Samoa
CARDIFF, WALES - OCTOBER 17: Julian Savea of the New Zealand All Blacks is awarded the Man of the Match award following the 2015 Rugby World Cup Quarter Final match between New Zealand and France at the Millennium Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matt Lewis - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Morgan Parra – France to Portugal
Morgan Parra Of ASM Clermont Auvergne - Photo mandatory by-line: Gareth Davies/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 183700120 - 02/05/2015 - SPORT - RUGBY UNION - EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL - ASM Clermont Auvergne v RC Toulon - Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London, England.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow – New Zealand to Australia
Nathan Hughes – England to Fiji
Gallagher Man of the Match Nathan Hughes of Bath Rugby on his Bath Rugby debut during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Harlequins at the Recreation Ground on 28 Jan. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Sergio Parisse – Italy to Argentina
They wrote: "Another unlikely switch but one that is still possible, as Parisse could represent the country he was born in despite playing 142 times for Italy.
"The 39-year-old still represents Toulon in the Top 14 and last played for the Azzurri during the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He has put his retirement on hold to play one more time for Italy, but his plan has been thwarted several times."
Lima Sopoaga – New Zealand to Samoa
Zach Mercer – England to Scotland
Zach Mercer of England goes over for a try during the Quilter Cup Match between England and Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on May 27. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
Byron McGuigan – Scotland to Namibia
Alec Hepburn – England to Australia
Taqele Naiyaravoro – Australia to Fiji
Northampton Saints player Taqele Naiyaravoro attacking during the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby at Franklins Gardens, Northampton on Feb 28 - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
Henry Speight – Australia to Fiji
Tevita Kuridrani – Australia to Fiji
Tevita Kuridrani of Australia in action against Sonny Bill Williams of New Zealand - Photo mandatory by-line: Gareth Davies/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 183700120 - 31/10/2015 - SPORT - RUGBY UNION - RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 FINAL - New Zealand v Australia - Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London, England.
Denny Solomona – England to Samoa
Steve Luatua – New Zealand to Samoa
Man of the Match, Steven Luatua of Bristol Bears during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bristol Bears and Harlequins at Ashton Gate, Bristol, on 8 March 2020. PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
George Moala – New Zealand to Tonga
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