This column grew hoarse a few years back, arguing for World Rugby to loosen their belts just a little and spend some of their countless millions on a small but important service that at a stroke would profit the game massively.

Create a full-time dedicated Eligibility office, appoint an eligibility supremo on a decent but not excessive salary, give him or her a staff of two or three, including a spreadsheet whizzkid, issue them all with laptops and top-of-the-range smartphones. And put them to work.
Proactively police the eligibility of players BEFORE international games and tournaments.
Ma...