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World Rugby have confirmed a one-year extension of their previously-approved amendment to international eligibility criteria. The May 2017 decision to change Regulation 8 from a 36-month residency qualification period to 60 months will now come into effect on January 1, 2022, one year later than originally intended.
An official statement from the world governing body says that the decision was made to extend the transition period due to the “exceptional disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic” which resulted in the cancellation of a significant number of capped international fixtures.
The change was implemented not by Council vote but by World Rugby’s Executive Committee, in consultation “with unions and International Rugby Players.” It should be noted that many Tier 1 nations who are set to benefit will in fact have opportunities to cap players before the intended cut-off date of December 31, 2020.
Also clarified in the release are the conditions of the incoming law. Those wishing to qualify under the 36-month rule must compete internationally by the new December 31, 2021, deadline. Those who reach the residency criteria by that date but are not captured must then immediately wait until the 60-month requirements are met.
