World Rugby ends 'project players' by increasing residency period for international eligibility to five years

• World Rugby has voted to increase the required residency period to be eligible for international rugby from three to five years
• The initiative will come into force when the calendar is re-structured in 2020
• It is hoped the new ruling will safeguard he playing resources of smaller nations
• The decision ends 'project players' being lured away from other Test nations

World rugby took a major step towards eradicating the cynical ‘project player’ system on Wednesday which has blighted the international game, by raising the residency qualification period from three to five years.

The reform, which had been championed by former Argentina captain Agustin Pichot, from the moment he took over last year as the global governing body’s new vice-chairman, will take effect from December 31, 2020. 

Surprisingly, there was a unanimous vote in favour of the change, at an annual meeting of the World Rugby council in Kyoto, prior to the World Cup draw. 

The RFU had strongly backed the change to Regulation 8, but the support of Ireland and Scotland was unexpected, given how those two home nations have come to rely on strategic importing of players from countries such as South Africa and New Zealand.

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said: ‘This reform is a necessary step to protecting the integrity and credibility of international rugby. This extension to the residency period will ensure a close, credible and established link between a union and players.’

Savouring the outcome of his crusade, Pichot added: ‘This is an historic moment for the sport and a great step towards protecting the integrity, ethos and stature of international rugby. 

National team representation is the reward for devoting your career, your rugby life, to your nation and these amendments will ensure that the international arena is full of players devoted to their nation, who got there on merit.’

Once the regulation is amended, players must be resident in a country for 60 consecutive months to qualify. In addition and with immediate effect, players who have 10 years of cumulative residency will be eligible to represent that country.

Wasps back Jimmy Gopperth was named Players’ Player of the Year at the annual RPA awards on Wednesday. Bath No 8 Zach Mercer won the Young Player prize, while Owen Farrell claimed the England Player of the Year gong.