The residency rules that have become ever more of an issue in international rugby are under fire. As things stand, players have been eligible to play for a country is f they have been playing rugby in that country for three consecutive years.
The top nations in the world have made the most of that rule and Ireland is certainly no different. Given that he's helped fill the void left by our greatest ever player, Jared Payne has come to represent the residency rule more than most.
In the past week, World Rugby have made noises that the rule could be changed from three years of residency to five years before a player can become eligible. That won't effect Payne but it could effect Munster's player of the year CJ Stander who has indicated his desire to turn out for Ireland.
The three year residency rule has come in for quite a bit of criticism. Many have suggested that players can shop around for an international team but Payne has rejected those suggestions saying the three year rule is sufficient for players to show their commitment to their new country.
I would still have come over here. I wanted to experience something new, see a different part of the world. It would be an interesting decision if they decide to change it. Three years is a long time in professional sport. Some people's careers don't last five unfortunately.
Look, I don't think it needs to be changed. Three years is a pretty long time to commit to a different country. I don't see a problem with it. But I'm probably a bit biased.
Payne's performance in the final Six Nations game against Scotland silenced a lot of doubters and the commitment shown by the likes of Payne and Richardt Strauss would seem to suggest that three years is sufficient. However, there certainly is grounds for debate on a rule that has caused quite a bit of controversy so it could be that not as many foreign born players follow in the Ulster centres footsteps.
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