It will now permit an international player to transfer once from one union to another subject to demonstrating a close and credible link to that union via birthright.
A three-step criteria will be applied for a player to change: The player must stand down from international rugby for 36 months, the player must either be born in the country to which they wish to transfer or have a parent or grandparent born in that country, and a player may only change union once. Each case will be subject to approval by the World Rugby regulations committee to preserve the integrity.
