So the words infer in Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore but though “he himself has said it” in both League and Union in recent times how many can truly put hand on heart and affirm their nationality when any pre match anthem is played.

Especially during the current Rugby Union World Cup and the Rugby League Four Nations Tournament where the likes of Manu Tuilagi, Shontayne Hape, Rangi Chase and others, thanks to a residential qualification, stand proud and tall and sing loud and clear the words of God Save the Queen.

Former St.Helens RL backrower, Maurie Fa’asavalu, having once joined in with the rest of  the Samoan team when the Pacific island’s anthem was played and roared out loud when representing England RL, rehearsed his original lines after again joining his Samoan RU friends in the World Cup. An Englishman?  Never!

Yes, international rugby league or rugby union can be said to be truly international in the year 2011. For, quite frankly, it doesn’t matter who your are or where you were born if you wish to play for any nation that needs you. Never more so than in the charades which appears to welcome men of all nationalities to display their talents on the greatest of rugby stages – the Rugby Union World Cup and the Rugby League’s Four Nations.

The selection for England RL of Castleford’s mercurial half back, the Kiwi born Rangi Chase, is indeed an intriguing choice as was that of Fijian born, Petero Civoniceva for the Kangaroos in the past. While the number of Pacific Islanders currently donning a Green and Gold or Black and White international league jersey may soon outnumber the indigenous Aussies and Kiwis.

Onward with Italy in the Rugby Union World Cup marched Treviso’s Paul Derbyshire, Luke McClean, and Cornelius Van Zyl – all strong sounding Italian names. The former New Zealand Maori player, Deacon Manu now captains Fiji while the two Tagicakibau brothers are not too sure which country claims them, while Michael plays for Fiji and Sailosi represents Samoa. If you knew any New Zealanders still looking for a game there were a couple  places available with the Japanese World Cup squad.

The world of international rugby gets curiouser and curiouser! And always remember that today thanks to a whole host of qualification rules you can actually play for whoever you want. If only I could have captained Peru what a tale I could now tell my grandson.

Ray French