GARETH’S CROWN DUALS
Rice in mix for starting berth as England step up efforts to lure mixed-heritage stars
DECLAN RICE could make his England debut at Wembley on Friday after opting to switch allegiances.
The West Ham midfielder is waiting for the nod with Jordan Henderson battling to overcome an ankle injury.
And that could herald the start of a brave new world for the Three Lions as they attempt to leave no stone unturned when it comes to dual-nationality players.
Rice, 20, was eligible for the Republic of Ireland and played for them at youth level as well as three senior friendlies before accepting England’s call.
Gareth Southgate chose not to select Crystal Palace starlet Aaron Wan-Bissaka (right) even though he is free to represent Congo.
At Southampton, Angus Gunn has opted to play for England – despite being eligible for Scotland.
And Aston Villa’s man of the moment Jack Grealish plumped for England rather than Ireland.
England have been told dual nationalities will become an increasing issue with the next generation. Incredibly, 55 of the 75 Under-15s on the FA radar can play for other countries, it is claimed.
That means England must be more proactive in attracting players. Ex-FA technical director Dan Ashworth insists England have to be more openminded.
Ashworth, now at Brighton, said: “It generates great debate... ‘If they are not born in England, they can’t play for England!’
“You look at other sports and other countries, and you want to recruit from the biggest pool you possibly can. You would not want to restrict yourself as a recruiter.
“You need to make sure you have got as big a pool as possible of people who are eligible through the rules and regulations – your ‘grandparenting rule’.
“The rules are there for a particular reason and every other nation is using those rules to expand their pools of players. Why isn’t England? That would be my view.
“If the player is eligible and he wants to play for England, why not? “I know that would cause some stir, so you tell me what you think the eligibility rules to play for England should be. Do you have to be born here?
“Diversity of the population in England means that we have 75 Under-15s on our radar, our long list, and 55 of them have dual or more nationality and are eligible for more than one country.
“That could be Scotland, Ireland and Wales as well, but the diversity of our country is thankfully changing.
“That gives us a bigger and better pool of players to pick from.
“But it also brings words of warning to governing bodies and national associations.
“Don’t assume they are locked into your particular nation because, like in clubland, there might be more suitors looking at them as well.
“We cannot be arrogant enough to assume that if you are living in England you automatically want to play for England over any other country.”