UPDATED: Foreign-born players in the 2025 Six Nations

https://www.ruck.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/17327410846358187258.jpeg.webp

Today at 04:09 AM

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.

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

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%)

Pierre Schoeman (South Africa) – Residency (2021)
Ewan Ashman (Canada) – Parent
Dylan Richardson (South Africa) – Parent
Will Hurd (England) – Grandparent
Cameron Henderson (Hong Kong) – Parent
Ewan Johnson (England) – Parent
Marshall Sykes (England) – Grandparent
Josh Bayliss (England) – Grandparent
Jack Dempsey (Australia) – Grandparent
Alexander Masibaka (Australia) – Parent
Ben White (England) – Grandparent
Fergus Burke (New Zealand) – Grandparent
Tom Jordan (New Zealand) – Residency (2024)
Rory Hutchinson (England) – Grandparent
Sione Tuipulotu (Australia) – Grandparent
Arron Reed (England) – Parent
Kyle Rowe (England) – Cumulative Residency
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

Predictor Game:

Tackle everything with the new ISUZU D-MAX

If you are not sure, simply hit ‘Shuffle’ and you will be given an automated prediction.

Once you are happy with the selection, hit ‘Submit Prediction’ to enter.

You will receive points if either/both of your predictions occur during the live match.

POINTS

5 Points: Total Tries Correct
15 Points: Time of 1st Try Correct

A winner will be selected from those with the most points at the end of the game week

Nigel Owens includes one England legend in his incredible dream team

Here is the Welshman’'s best XV of players he's refereed…It's a pretty decent line-up, as you will no doubt agree.

Owens plucks for three Welsh players – Alun Wyn Jones, Shane Williams, and Gethin Jenkins – while he mentions Lee Byrne, Dwayne Peel, and Leigh Halfpenny too.

It’s actually interesting to note that the majority of the players that Owens picked are captains. The entire pack have captained their countries

NIGEL OWENS DREAM XV:

Fullback: Israel Folau (Australia)

Owens said: “For me, it's nip and tuck between Halfpenny and Folau, next to nothing to choose between them. Leigh is brilliant because under the high ball and with his kicking at goal under pressure. He may not always break the line when running but puts his body on the line in defence and is a top-notch match-winner.

“But I go for Folau – only just, I should stress – because of his ability to seemingly beat his man every time he gets the ball in his hand. He's such an exciting player and like Leigh he is one of the best under the high ball.

“It's a toss of a coin for me… and it's come down in Folau's favour.”

Winger: Stuart Hogg (Scotland)

Owens said: “How can you fail to be impressed when watching Hogg play. He's so exciting as he burst into that line and, of course, was named Six Nations player of the tournament.

“I know he's a full-back for Scotland, but he is so quick and direct he could easily play on the wing. He reminds me a bit of Shane Williams with some of the things he does.

“When you see who is on the other wing in my team, you'll see how they would work brilliantly in tandem.”

Outside-centre: Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)

Owens said: “Not only is he one of the greatest centres in the history of rugby union but he's a fantastic man off the field as well. O'Driscoll has been a wonderful ambassador for the sport and a real leader. He always respected referees and set the right example for others to follow.

“A legend of the game who conducted himself superbly, on and off the pitch.”

Inside-centre: Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand)

Owens said: “He's another brilliant player and after every game, win or lose, he would come up and give me a hug. Ma'a has always found time at after-match functions or at breakfast if we've been staying at the same hotel to come over and have a chat.

“What a player, mind, too. One of the stalwarts of the New Zealand side for so many years.”

Winger: Shane Williams (Wales)

Owens said: “When people ask me who is the best player I have refereed it's pretty much an impossible task to pick one because I've been lucky enough to take charge of so many greats.

“But if I'm pushed, I would pick Shane for what he achieved after coming from football at 17 or 18 years of age.

“He was in the mould of Gerald Davies in how he left defenders gasping for air as he beat them with those dazzling sidesteps. Nobody would fancy defending against a back three of Shane, Hogg and Folau, I can tell you that.”

CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO

The post UPDATED: Foreign-born players in the 2025 Six Nations appeared first on Ruck.