There's been a lot of controversy surrounding World Rugby's three-year residency rule. New Vice President Agustin Pichot has expressed a desire to increase the rule to five-years to stop the plundering of weaker nations.
It's a rule that has benefitted Irish Rugby - with the likes of Jared Payne and CJ Stander becoming Irish internationals via the rule.
With Jake Heenan confirming his intention to play for Ireland when he becomes eligible in June, we've had a look a XV of players who could play for Ireland who all qualify under that rule. Some are already eligible, others are yet to complete their residency. But it's not a bad team, either.
Ireland's Project Player XV
1. Tom McCartney (New Zealand)
Normally a hooker for Connacht, McCartney was converted to a loosehead prop while under Pat Lam at the Blues. He's deputised there a few times for Connacht, and he's only listed here in this time because there is no one else.
2. Richardt Strauss (South Africa)
The original project player. Strauss has definitely bought into being an Irish international from the start - singing Amhran na bhFiann on his international debut against the country of his birth. Strauss has since gone on to become an Irish citizen, and is one of the success stories and reasons why this rule exists.
Could also have picked: Rob Herring (South Africa)
3. Nathan White (New Zealand)
White's eligibility has really helped Ireland in a problem position behind Mike Ross. When Ross went down injured during the 2016 Six Nations, White was able to step up and steady the ship.
Could also have picked: Wiehahn Herbst (South Africa) - eligible in June 2017.
4. Quinn Roux (South Africa)
Roux has started to deliver on his immense potential since moving west to Connacht from Leinster. The South African was once rated higher than Eben Etzebeth at Western Province, but a rash of injuries have halted his momentum. He's been included in Joe Schmidt's extended squads, but is yet to be capped.
5. Hayden Triggs (New Zealand) - Eligible October 2018
Leinster surprised many when they re-signed Hayden Triggs for another season. It's unlikely to happen, but should Triggs get another year at Leinster he would become eligible for Ireland in 2017. It's a hint at a lack of alternatives at lock that Triggs is selected.
6. Robbie Diack (South Africa)
Diack was a big player for Ulster at the start of his time at Belfast, but it took him a long time of being eligible for Ireland before he made his debut. His influence has waned for Ulster since then, but the 30-year-old remains a key player for the northern province.
7. Jake Heenan (New Zealand) - Eligible June 2016
Heenan will be the next player to become eligible for Ireland, and the former captain of the New Zealand U20s is good enough to improve the Ireland team. He would be the most natural openside available to Schmidt.
8. CJ Stander (South Africa)
He's only played blindside for Ireland so far, but he's shown at Munster that he's even better at No. 8. We can't wait for that. Like Strauss, he's completely bought into his new country.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (New Zealand) - Eligible July 2019
The only player on this list who hasn't set foot in the country yet. The scrumhalf has shown some promise for the Blues and Hurricanes, but finds himself behind All Black TJ Perenara. Gibson-Park will provide good competition for Luke McGrath at Leinster for the next few years, and is likely to be a handy player.
10. Tyler Bleyendaal (New Zealand) - Eligible January 2018
The second former New Zealand U20 player on this list. It says a lot about how Bleyendaal's health that Heenan has been the most healthy of the two of them. Bleyendaal has flashed his potential, and if he gets a run of games should get fans excited - but we don't know if that will happen any more.
11. Danie Poolman (South Africa)
Poolman is already eligible, but is also uncapped. He has been a huge player in his short time there, and when he's on the pitch he's extremely good. An intelligent player who just seems to score a lot of tries and make limited mistakes, he's almost exactly what Joe Schmidt loves. He's scored six tries in an injury ravaged season with just 13 starts.
12. Bundee Aki (New Zealand) - Eligible October 2017
The Connacht players' player of the season, and the PRO12 player of the season - Aki has been amazing in his second year with Connacht. The New Zealand centre looked great in his start in Galway - but flagged quickly after coming straight from Super Rugby.
The benefits of a pre-season have been evident this year, and most fans can't wait until Aki becomes Irish qualified after next season.
13. Jared Payne (New Zealand)
Probably one of Joe Schmidt's most important players. He has been the subject of a lot of the residency controversy after George Hook called him a 'second-rate foreigner'. But nothing about Payne is second rate. He shines for Ulster at full-back, and was highly rated and nearly capped by New Zealand when he left.
14. Niyi Adeolokun (Nigeria)
Born and raised in Nigeria, Adeolokun and his family came to Ireland when he was 11. Qualifying solely from residency, the pacey winger has had to get to where he is from the All-Ireland leagues. Playing for Trinity, he got a chance with Connacht and is developing into a fantastic player. His pace is frightening, and he doesn't make as many defensive errors as he used to.
Just watch him get better and better next season.
15. Louis Ludik (South Africa) - July 2017
It was a little bit of shock when Louis Ludik was allowed another year's extension at Ulster. The bit-part player with the embarrassment of riches up north is taking up an NIQ/Project player slot that Ulster didn't have - especially with Charles Piutau coming. But the IRFU allowed it because of how close Ludik was to becoming qualified, and how badly Ulster wanted to keep him. He's shown good moments - but whether he gets capped or not will be another thing.
