International island hoppers

As you may be able to tell, i have been blogging alot on the expansion of Rugby league, and wanted to touch on international Rugby and the island hoppers that are jumping from one nationality to another.

Forgive me, but I'm English, and wouldn't like to play under another countries name, but it is increasing popular now with a number of internationals switching from one nation to another.  Some that have raised eyebrows in recent times are Pat Richards for Ireland, the Henderson's for Scotland, and Clint Greensheilds playing for France.  These are all Internationals who have decided to change allegiances because they wouldn't make their own national sides, but since GB dissolved a couple of years ago, there seems to be more of the island hopping back and to than before.

It was only when Rhys Evans, born and bred in Brigend made the switch to the English national side that i realised why this was.  If Rhys listens to everyone else in Rugby, he will probably think he is going to be a  big deal (and rightly so because he looks a great prospect so far).  Now if i knew that i was going to be a good super league standard player, i wouldn't be to impressed with the prospect of me playing international rugby for Wales against Scotland and Ireland in home nations matches, knowing full well that the English will be taking on the Aussies and the NZ'ers and being competitive.
 

Evans in Wales National shirt

This may be fine for some, but for others the incentive, playing against the best teams in the world, is to much.  That's why players move clubs and why clubs sign players, to be the best.  The only option for players like Rhys who are obviously better than their compatriots is to jump ship in order to play world class rugby.

Personally, i don't think you should be able to swap nationalities, and don't think it should be so easy to move from one to another.  GB isn't perfect (look at the 'Briers for Britain' debate in previous years) but at least it gives ALL of GB's top talent to come together and play rugby.  The game needs to grow in other nations before they become appealing and they become competitive against other nations. 

On a broader international scale, The Irish Wolfhounds travelled to meet the US Tomahawks in the Donnybrook cup.  The Irish 'B' side (all from Irish domestic clubs) beat the US team 26-8, but it shows far the sport is coming, not just in GB but further afield.  I also read that the Norwegian national team are looking to play a friendly in Malta later in the year, and the European Rugby league site (http://www.rlef.eu.com/index.php) has recently been updated and gives some great insight into how far reaching the sport has become since super league.  I still think we are moving in the right direction ......