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5d ago

Foreign-Born Players in Lions Squad Defend Allegiance Amid Ongoing Debate

Seven foreign-born players, all meeting eligibility rules, prepare to represent the British & Irish Lions as questions of national identity and commitment persist.

Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - Scotland v Australia - Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain - November 24, 2024 Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu scores a try REUTERS/Russell Cheyne/File Photo
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Overview

  • Andy Farrell's British & Irish Lions squad includes seven foreign-born players who qualify through ancestry or residency regulations.
  • Sione Tuipulotu, born in Australia, and James Lowe, from New Zealand, have publicly affirmed their dedication to their adopted nations and the Lions.
  • Tuipulotu, who feared missing selection due to a pectoral injury earlier this year, sees the Lions tour as a chance to prove his allegiance to Scotland.
  • World Rugby's extended residency requirement from three to five years has reduced the prevalence of 'project players,' though the current squad includes players qualified under the old rules.
  • Former Lions great Willie John McBride expressed discomfort with the number of foreign-born players, sparking broader discussions on the evolving nature of national identity in rugby.