Statement: 34-cap Scotland legend retired with immediate effect

Yesterday at 06:56 AM

Allan Dell, the former Glasgow Warriors and Scotland prop, has officially called time on his playing career as he transitions into a key development role at Stirling County.

Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!

The 31-year-old made 12 appearances for Franco Smith's squad after joining Glasgow in the summer of 2022, having previously played for Edinburgh and London Irish.

A reliable presence in the front row, Dell earned 34 caps for Scotland after making his international debut against Australia in 2016. His talent also saw him receive a call-up to the British and Irish Lions squad for the 2017 tour of New Zealand.

Now, the experienced prop is stepping into a new challenge at Bridgehaugh, where he will play a crucial role in designing and managing pathways for aspiring players and coaches, helping to shape the next generation of Scottish rugby talent.

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UPDATED: Foreign-born players in the 2025 Six Nations

The Six Nations is always a showcase of top-tier talent, but not every player pulls on their nation’s jersey having been born there.

With eligibility rules allowing selections through ancestry, residency, or other pathways, squads feature a fascinating mix of homegrown stars and those who developed their skills elsewhere before qualifying for their adopted countries.

The following breakdown, based on data compiled by Americas Rugby News, examines the composition of various national teams, shedding light on the number of foreign-born players and how they qualify for their respective squads.

This international blend underlines rugby's global nature, with some nations leaning on overseas-born talent more than others. Ahead of round two, we’ve broken down the squads – and Scotland lead the way by a mile when it comes to foreign-born players.

ENGLAND

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 39/41 (95.2%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 3/41 (7.3%)

• Bevan Rodd (Scotland) – Parent
• Chandler Cunningham-South (England) – Born in England
• Harry Randall (England) – Born in England
• Marcus Smith (Philippines) – Parent
• Tom Roebuck (Scotland) – Parent

FRANCE

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 39/42 (92.8%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 6/42 (14.2%)

• Dany Priso (Cameroon) – Residency (2008)
• Uini Atonio (New Zealand) – Residency (2014)
• Giorgi Beria (Georgia) – Residency (2002)
• Joshua Brennan (Ireland) – Residency (2005)
• Emmanuel Meafou (New Zealand) – Residency (2023)
• Émilien Gailleton (England) – Parent

IRELAND

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 30/36 (83.3%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 9/36 (25%)

• Rob Herring (South Africa) – Grandparent
• Finlay Bealham (Australia) – Grandparent
• Cormac Izuchukwu (England) – Parent
• Joe McCarthy (USA) – Parent
• Jamison Ratu Gibson-Park (New Zealand) – Residency (2020)
• Bundee Aki (New Zealand) – Residency (2017)
• Ciarán Frawley (Australia) – Parent
• Mack Hansen (Australia) – Parent
• James Lowe (New Zealand) – Residency (2020)

ITALY

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 21/31 (67.7%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 9/31 (29.0%)

• Dino Lamb-Cona (England) – Parent
• Sebastian Negri (Zimbabwe) – Parent
• Ross Vintcent (South Africa) – Grandparent
• Martin Page-Relo (France) – Grandparent
• Stephen Varney (Wales) – Parent
• Juan Ignacio Brex (Argentina) – Grandparent
• Montana Ioane (Australia) – Residency (2020)
• Ange Capuozzo (France) – Parent
• Matt Gallagher (England) – Parent

SCOTLAND

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 25/42 (58,1.3%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 18/43 (44.1%)

1. Pierre Schoeman (South Africa) – Residency (2021)
2. Ewan Ashman (Canada) – Parent
3. Dylan Richardson (South Africa) – Parent
4. Will Hurd (England) – Grandparent
5. Cameron Henderson (Hong Kong) – Parent
6. Ewan Johnson (England) – Parent
7. Marshall Sykes (England) – Grandparent
8. Josh Bayliss (England) – Grandparent
9. Jack Dempsey (Australia) – Grandparent
10. Alexander Masibaka (Australia) – Parent
11. Ben White (England) – Grandparent
12. Fergus Burke (New Zealand) – Grandparent
13. Tom Jordan (New Zealand) – Residency (2024)
14. Rory Hutchinson (England) – Grandparent
15. Sione Tuipulotu (Australia) – Grandparent
16. Arron Reed (England) – Parent
17. Kyle Rowe (England) – Cumulative Residency
18. Duhan van der Merwe (South Africa) – Residency (2020)

WALES

HOMEGROWN PLAYERS: 26/34 (76.4%)
FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS: 10/34 (29.4%)

• WillGriff John (England) – Parent
• Henry Thomas (England) – Parent
• Will Rowlands (England) – Parent
• Freddie Thomas (England) – Grandparent
• Christ Tshiunza (DR Congo) – Residency (2015)
• James Botham (Wales) – Born in Wales
• Taulupe Faletau (Tonga) – Residency (2001)
• Ellis Bevan (England) – Parent
• Nick Tompkins (England) – Grandparent
• Blair Murray (New Zealand) – Parent
• Ellis Mee (England) – Parent

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