IT’S BEEN A divisive talking point for some time now and the issue of World Rugby’s three-year residency rule was today reignited by comments made by Luke Fitzgerald.

The former Ireland and Leinster wing thinks the current eligibility regulations are ‘plain wrong’ and has called for them to be tightened.

Under World Rugby’s rules, three years of residency is enough for a player to qualify for a nation which they have no blood ties to.

Ireland have taken advantage of the loophole in recent seasons by capping South African pair CJ Stander and Richardt Strauss and New Zealand-born Jared Payne under Joe Schmidt.

But is it right? World Rugby vice-chairman Agustín Pichot has recently slammed the regulation and there is an increasing amount of displeasure among rugby supporters at players being allowed to line out for any country based on living there for just three years.

The governing body have launched a review process on the three-year law but what do you think? Do the residency rules need to be changed?

Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

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