In terms of section 8 paragraph 14 of World Rugby rules:
14. How is the Residence criteria satisfied?
Regulation 8.1(c) requires a Player to complete 36 consecutive months of
Residence immediately preceding the time of playing. Residence is
defined as “the place or location in which the Player has his primary and
permanent home” and Resident shall be construed accordingly. In
essence, Regulation 8.1(c) constitutes a sporting naturalization
procedure, based on a geographical/presence test. As in any
naturalisation process, a number of factors will influence the determination
of what constitutes a Player’s permanent and primary home. Such factors
include, but are not limited to, the actual time spent in a country and the
purpose of any absences during the qualification period. By being
Resident in a country for a period of 36 consecutive months immediately
preceding the time of playing for a Union, a Player is deemed to acquire a
credible, close and established national link with a country/Union that
entitles him to participate in sporting competitions for that Union. Based
on the overriding rationale of the eligibility Regulations, in cases where a
Player’s eligibility is uncertain the Regulations Committee will consider
that Player’s eligibility by reference to the particular facts and
circumstances of his case to establish if the Residency test, in the context
of the overall rationale of the eligibility Regulations, has been satisfied.
The principles set out in responses to the questions below will act as
guidelines to the Regulations Committee when it is asked to consider any
cases pursuant to this criterion.
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