COONEY MAY OPT TO PLAY FOR SCOTLAND
IRELAND scrum-half John Cooney may be set to switch his international allegiances to Scotland in time for next year’s World Cup. The 32-year-old Ulster star, who has a Scottish father, has not played for Ireland since February 2020 so, under World Rugby amended eligibility rules, would be free to declare for Scotland in February next year. Players are now able to switch nations if they have been stood down from international rugby for three years and they, or a parent or grandparent, were born in the country they wish to represent. Cooney spurned an offer to switch allegiances from interim head coach Scott Johnson in 2012, before going on to make his international debut for Ireland in the summer of 2017. He won the last of his 11 Ireland caps as a replacement against England in 2020, but the veteran has since fallen off Andy Farrell’s radar, with the Dubliner stating last year that Ireland selection, ‘wouldn’t be as much of an ambition of mine any more.’ Sportsmail understands Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend could be keen on convincing Cooney to link up with his squad ahead of the global showpiece in 2023. Ireland and Scotland are set to meet in a pivotal World Cup pool game in Stade de France on October 7 of next year. If Cooney decides to pursue a switch with Scotland, he would be a significant addition to Townsend’s scrum-half resources, adding depth to a pool which includes Ali Price, George Horne, Ben White and Ben Vellacott. Last year, Cooney admitted he was ‘deflated’ from his lack of opportunities with Ireland. ‘It gets harder each time and I feel I’ve done enough and I’ve done everything asked of me,’ he stated in July 2021. ‘I said last season they called me in to train with them against France (during the 2020 Six nations) in a game that I was meant to start before lockdown and I got all my work done, I encouraged everyone and I trained well. ‘Then I got called in again and did everything they asked of me, so I feel like I can be proud of what I’ve done because everything that’s been asked of me for the last couple of years, I’ve done it. ‘I’ve never complained and I’ve worked incredibly hard — even my club selections, to leave clubs to go up and get a starting role to pursue my dreams of playing for Ireland. It probably wouldn’t be as much of an ambition of mine any more.’