Vocal Voices

Kudos to England's young new opener on a maiden century, but at the end of the day, he's a South African who captained that country's U-19 side.

There are too many sporting mercenaries on the international scene and English cricket and rugby union are rife with them. Geoff is right - if you're not English born and bred, you've no right to be in the team.

Ah, but how do you get all countries to agree, whatever the sport?

One of the biggest "borrowers" of another nation's players is the USA, especially in tennis.

You and Sir Geoff might be right, Ossie, but it is never going to happen.

Best get thine 'ead rand it, sither.

Me too Os, though I'm not Sir Geoffrey's biggest fan.

The qualification rules in Rugby Union rules are a joke imo.
Billy Vunipola, born in Sydney Australia.
Mako Vunipola, born New Zealand
Semesa Rokoduguni, born Fiji.
Brad Barritt, born South Africa.
Marland Yarde, born St Lucia (though his dad is called Scotland Yarde, so you'd have to say pretty English!)
Manu Tuilagi, born Samoa.
Nathan Hughes, born Fiji.

And it's the same across the nations. Goodness knows how many Pacific islanders are playing for other countries, mainly NZ or Aus. You can see their point because the money they get playing for Fiji or Samoa is miniscule, (Fiji were on £400 a man vs England's £22,000 a man when they played the other month) but it makes a joke of "countries".