IRB Chairman: Bernard Lapasset
The International Rugby Board have released a document detailing the necessary requirements for players to switch nationalities.
Players looking to represent another country will have to play in a minimum of four Sevens World Series legs for their conversion to be approved, along with adhering to other terms.
All players who apply this way will also have to take part in the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016.
The document also states that players will not be able to revert to their former Union should their application to play for a second Union fall through.
Planet Rugby
With the global qualification process for Rugby Sevens’ Olympic Games debut set to begin in October (men) and December (women), the Regulations Committee convened on September 2 to assist Unions with queries and ensure unity and consistency of implementation of the regulations.
“These rulings of the IRB Regulations Committee will further assist our Unions with their preparation and underscores our commitment to ensure a successful and spectacular Olympic Games debut at Rio 2016 and beyond,” said IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset.
A number of leading players capped by one country have expressed an interest or been linked to making use of the loophole, including current European Player of the Year and Toulon star Steffon Armitage.
The link leading to the ruling can be found HERE!
So, it’s not going to be so easy to convert as I initially thought.
Not sure about that clause that you can’t convert back should your application fail.
Another quagmire of Rugby administrative bungling that is as clear as mud.
England have been chosen to qualify Great Britain for the games by the GB organising committee, yet England can’t play at the games.
Why can’t a GB side qualify in some way.
The whole episode is just a sad F-Up typical of Rugby Union’s organisational incapabilities.
Why can’t the IRB just admit that they are at best a fringe sport and that getting 7’s into the Olympics is nothing more than a marketing ploy that will have zero effect on the development of the 15 man code.
That said, maybe we should be looking into the money trail?
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