The foreign legion who could soon be pulling on the red of Wales

IT is a contentious issue that has often divided rugby - qualification for a country on residency.

Willis Halaholo’s man-of-thematch display for Cardiff Blues in their stunning victory over Munster on Friday night has raised the possibility of another New Zealandborn player pulling on the three feathers.

If he does, Halaholo will follow in the footsteps of compatriot Hadleigh Parkes, who last December against the Springboks , played for Wales three years to the day after arriving in the country.

Before Parkes, the likes of Sonny Parker, Hal Luscombe, Brent Cockbain and Andries Pretorious have followed the same route from the southern hemisphere to Wales honours.

In a determined attempt to halt the flow, World Rugby announced last year that the three-year residency ruling was being scrapped and being replaced by a five-year qualification period.

That comes into force at the end of 2020 meaning that any player who moved countries after December 31, 2017 will have to abide by the revised regulations.

Wales, of course, are not alone in taking advantage of the previous residency laws.

South African-born CJ Stander and Auckland-born Bundee Aki have become influential performers for Ireland; WP Nel and Josh Strauss represented Scotland after serving their three years north of the border, while Eddie Jones has picked the likes of Nathan Hughes and Denny Solomona to wear the Red Rose.

The change to five years will no doubt have a major impact on socalled ‘project players,’ but Wales could still make a couple of key acquisitions over the next 12 months...