In an interview with the Mail Online, front-rower Patrick Schickerling disclosed that he is eligible to represent England based on his residency.
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The 24-year-old emerging talent has made a significant impact for the Chiefs and caught the attention of Eddie Jones, who called him up at the conclusion of the previous season.
Schickerling had a brief appearance as a replacement in a match against the Barbarians, but unfortunately, he had to exit the game due to a head injury. Subsequently, he was included in the squad for the tour of Australia; however, he did not have the opportunity to make his Test debut.
However, it has now come to light that Schickerling did not meet the residency requirements as previously believed by both the player himself and the RFU. Rugby scribe Bryan Ray was the first to unveil this revelation.
The Exeter Chiefs star claimed in the interview that: “When I arrived in England in 2018, the rule was that you are eligible to play after three years of residency… Two months later, the rule went up to five years.
“I was living in the UK for three years straight and I couldn’t go home because of Covid. That’s why!”
Ray wrote in an interesting Twitter thread:
“November 2018 arrival would put him on track to qualify under the three-year residency rule in November of 2021. The consecutive residency rule, which falls under World Rugby’s Regulation 8, was then extended to five years effective January 1, 2022.”
“Schickerling assumes that because he reached the three-year mark before the change, his eligibility carried over. It does not.”
“In order for Schickerling to keep his England eligibility, he had to have played for England or England ‘A’ between qualifying in November of 2021 and January 1, 2022. He did not.”
Ray concludes by saying: “That means Schickerling falls under the five-year rule. He won’t qualify for England until November of 2023, but remains eligible to represent Namibia.”
No action will be taken by World Rugby as he is still uncapped and is not ‘captured’ by England. This follows the decision to throw Spain out of next year’s World Cup after they fielded an ineligible player during their successful qualifying campaign.
Read Ray’s entire Twitter thread by clicking here.
6 rugby players now making it big in business after smart investments
Here’s some of the most prominent rugby players to have made waves in business.
Stuart Hogg
After confirming his retirement, Hogg said in a statement: “A new career beckons and I will attack in the same manner as I play the game.”
The Scotland legend has revealed he isn’t too keen on coaching, but will remain in the game as a pundit after making his debut on BBC during the 2023 Six Nations.
PUNDITRY:
Sources tell RUCK that BT Sport (soon to be TNT Sports) are keen. to recruit the fullback as a key part of their 2023/24 Premiership coverage.
RESTAURANT OWNER:
He is the co-owner of steak house Finsbay Flatiron in Glasgow.
The focus for Finsbay Flatiron is steak, specialising in 8oz flat irons (as the name suggests) and steaks from £8 on weekdays and £10 on weekends, as well as sides like mac and cheese and triple cooked chips.
DISTILLERY:
He’s a director of a distillery named Maiden Batch.
Caulker’s is a collaborative effort between five Glasgow men, two of whom happen to be British Lions and Scotland rugby internationals, Hogg and Alastair Kellock. The bottle is signed by all five.
Jack Nowell
The England and Exeter Chiefs winger is the co-owner of The Swordfish Inn back in his hometown of Cornwall.
Sitting on the harbourfront, the pub has been a favourite of local fishermen, artists and visitors alike for as long as anyone cares to remember and is well-known for its rugged charm and atmosphere.
He is also a director of MUSTARD Clothing.
