Gareth Anscombe’s inclusion in the Welsh squad for the Six Nations has reignited the eligibility debate in rugby circles. Anscombe is entitled to his position in the squad as he qualifies through his Mother, Tracy, who is Welsh. She even named her son after Welsh great, Gareth Edwards. However, the debate has been sparked and certain factions of the rugby community are of the belief that only those born in Wales should wear the national shirt.
28% of Six Nations Players Not Born in Chosen Nations
This argument is flawed in modern society with so many people emigrating between countries and moving borders so freely. In fact this has already had an impact on the Six Nations Championship and 28% of the players selected in the squads were not born in their representative nations.
Fifty-nine players in total were born outside of their country of representation making this argument something of a dead duck.
- Scotland lead the way with an incredible 44% of their squad coming from outside the nation, a total of 14.
- The Welsh squad is made up of 32% of players born outside of the nation, with eight coming from England.
- Italy have similar figures with 31% coming from outside the country, with a large influence of Argentinians, including captain Sergio Parisse.
- England has the least players born overseas with just 5 players making up 14% of their playing squad.
- Ireland weighs in at 23% of their squad being born outside the Emerald Isle.
- Lastly 25% of France’s players hail from overseas locations.
The Six Nations is becoming a truly international tournament and there are twenty different nations represented by birth in this year’s championship. Perhaps unsurprisingly the giants of the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia have the most players originating from their country. With five players coming from Australia, ten from South Africa and almost a full team of Kiwi’s, with twelve players born in the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’, including Gareth Anscombe.
All of the fifty-nine players are just as entitled to their position as Anscombe and all qualify through the World Rugby eligibility rules.
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