Extend residency rule and risk recruitment

MUNSTER play-maker Tyler Bleyendaal believes any change by World Rugby to the three-year residency rule could make overseas player recruitment tougher for the IRFU.

The New Zealander will become Irelandeligible next January — when he will be 36 months living in Limerick — but there is speculation the rule could be altered this May by the sport’s global governing body. World Rugby could even increase eligibility to five years, thereby putting the Test dreams of Bleyendaal and other soon-to-qualify Irish project players, such as Bundee Aki, on the long finger.

‘At the moment, it’s three years. That is how the contracts and stuff are negotiated, why players negotiate and would go certain places.

‘If they change it, I’m sure tactics around signings will change, but I’m happy as I’m playing for Munster.

‘It [qualifying after 36 months] is on my mind because everyone keeps reminding me of it, but there is a lot of rugby to be played with Munster before January rolls around and we will see what happens. We want to achieve a lot of things here.

‘As you have seen now a lot of guys have made that step up to the Irish squad, the November Series, Six Nations, because of our success and the way we are playing as a team.

‘That is the focus now,’ he said, adding that CJ Stander (left) highlights the value of the project player system to Munster and Ireland.

‘It’s the buy-in. There is a lot of commitment made. We’re here, we’re buying into the whole Munster squad. We’re not here for a short, quick holiday.

‘There are players going around the world changing clubs and after three years they are eligible. When CJ sings the anthem, he is proud about it. He is happy to contribute for Ireland and I’m sure he wouldn’t change a thing. Look, we will see what happens.’