41-year-old ma'a nonu could swap nations and appear at the 2023 rugby world cup - ruck

MA’A NONU, THE FORMER ALL BLACKS CENTER, HASN’T PLAYED INTERNATIONAL RUGBY SINCE 2015, BUT HE HAS NOT YET RETIRED AND INTENDS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE UPCOMING 2023 RUGBY WORLD CUP. Currently,

he continues to showcase his skills with the San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby. __ This means he could potentially be considered for a call-up to represent Samoa. In January 2022, World

Rugby implemented a modification to rugby’s eligibility laws. This alteration allows players to represent a second Test nation if they possess a “close and credible link to that union via

birth-right.” As Nonu was born in Wellington, New Zealand, he would meet the criteria for eligibility to switch his allegiance based on his parents’ connections. Get your tickets for the

2023 Rugby World Cup at viagogo, the world’s leading ticket marketplace. STRANGEST CALL-UPS: THE WORST ENGLAND XV OF ALL-TIME RUCK LOOKS AT THE _WORST PLAYERS_ TO HAVE _EVER_ PULLED ON A

SHIRT FOR THE RED ROSE.  First of all, we have to say that to play for England you have to be a very good player – but these players, for one reason or another, never quite performed as they

would have liked in the white jersey. This team was inspired and partly taken from MIKE COOPER’S origional blog on RUCKEDOVER. FULLBACK: MARK VAN GISBERGEN Yes, he has a cap – only a

fleeting one, as a late replacement for Mark Cueto against Australia in 2005 – but he does boast a 100% winning ratio in international colours, so you can’t knock that. His main strengths

were dropping the high ball under limited pressure and getting gassed on the outside. ------------------------- WINGER: BARRIE-JON MATHER He became the first player to represent Great

Britain in Rugby League and England in Union. His move to union was part funded by the RFU, who were embarking on a strategy of converting some of leagues best talent. However, Mather

struggled to make an impact with Sale and moved back to Castleford in 2000. In spite of his poor form with Sale, Clive Woodward gave Mather his debut against Wales in the famous Grand Slam

decider in 1999. However, Mather never played for England again after Wales won the game 32-31, following Scott Gibbs’ superb try. ------------------------- CENTRE: JOEL TOMKINS Tomkins

began his League career with Wigan in 2005 and outside of a short stint with the Widnes Vikings in 2007, played with the Warriors until moving to Saracens in 2011. While Tomkins initially

struggled to adapt to union, but his form during the beginning of the 2013/14 season saw him earn an England cap against Australia in November 2013. Although he went on to make two further

international appearances, he looked completely out of his depth and returned to league soon after. CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO -------------------------