The sin bin

THE ongoing farce of international qualification is set to feature heavily at this World Cup with the three-year residency and grandparent rules already the focus of much, justified, criticism. Everyone is at it and, as we have stated repeatedly, the fault lies with the World Rugby governing body for allowing these loopholes and not the players or coaches who step through them. Nonetheless, Scotland’s squad selection leaves a bitter taste. No place for John Barclay, but room has been found for John Hardie, the recently arrived grandparent-qualified Kiwi yet to play a match for a Scottish club side and Josh Strauss (right) the South African named in the squad even before completing hisi three-year residency this Thursday. World Rugby have vowed to address this issue after the World Cup but the fact this slight on international representation has been allowed to exist this long is shameful. WATCHING Tyler Bleyendaal steer Munster to an excellent win away to the Ospreys last Sunday suggests the province may have found a player to fill the gaping void left by the retirement of Ronan O’Gara two years ago. With Ian Keatley down the Ireland pecking order, Bleyendaal should be spared the resentment directed towards Jimmy Gopperth when he was consistently selected ahead of Ian Madigan by Matt O’Connor over the past two seasons. Foreigners who lift the provincial cause while not hindering the national one can always be embraced.