Why Solomona is poised to make history with England switch
he Rugby Football Union may have confirmed that Denny Solomona has this week become the latest player to qualify for England on the three-year residency rule – but behind the scenes the governing body’s support for the campaign to extend the qualifying period to five years appears to have been successful.
The issue of amending the controversial qualifying laws is to be voted on at the World Rugby council meeting in May – 17 months after it attracted minimal support when it was last debated.
Agustín Pichot, the World Rugby vice-chairman, made it clear on his appointment last summer that he felt three years was too short amid concerns that it was undermining the fabric of the international game and fuelling the player drain from the Pacific Islands.
The RFU openly declared its support for the position in January and several international sources have indicated that Pichot will now get enough backing to get the amendment over the line.
“There is a very good chance of it being adopted,” said RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie.
There could yet be a period of grace for those players already serving a qualification period for their adopted country but it is almost certain that if the extension is voted in, it could be in place for the start of next season.
If that is the case then Aucklandborn Solomona could make history if Eddie Jones decides to pick him for the England tour to Argentina in June as the 23-year-old is likely to be the last to qualify for his adopted country before the laws are amended. Even if Jones does not pick Solomona, his eligibility will not be affected as his qualification has been accepted. he Six Nations board are to review the protocol about kick-off times on the final weekend of the tournament in the wake of the extraordinary circumstances on ‘Super Saturday’ that led to Ireland’s match against England being delayed by several minutes because the game ather than attending either of the Champions Cup games involving English sides this weekend, Eddie Jones will instead make the journey to between France and Wales in Paris ran to 99 minutes.
The board will consider whether the exceptional circumstances in Paris should lead to a longer gap between kick-off times to reduce the risk of future games being delayed due to TV demands that matches do not overlap. Cardiff to watch the Ospreys take on Stade FranÇais, suggesting that Sam Underhill, the Ospreys flanker, can clinch his place in the tour to Argentina with a big performance.