There may come a time in the career of Johnny Sexton that he curses rugby’s lawmakers.
The rules don’t bother the out-half at the moment, but if he gets handed the number 22 jersey when Ireland play their opening game of the 2018 Six Nations, he may have other feelings.
At the start of that year Munster out-half Tyler Bleyendaal, born in Christchurch, New Zealand, 1990, will become Ireland-qualified after fulfilling a three-year residency rule.
Players from 21 different countries participated in the last Six Nations championship, while Japan fielded 10 foreign players at last year's World Cup.
That's something that Sexton's former Leinster and Ireland team-mate Luke Fitzgerald says is just plain “wrong”.
The ex-Lions winger says he was “pissed off” when he missed out on selection to guys “from another place”.
RTÉ analyst and ex-Ireland manager Donal Lenihan claims some, who reckon they won’t get a call-up to their native country, use the rule as a “badge of convenience.”
The Ireland out-half was asked where he stands on the current state of affairs – a rule that sees South African duo CJ Stander and Richardt Strauss, and New Zealander Jared Payne take their places in Joe Schmidt’s panel.
“I’ve played with three guys that weren’t born here,” Sexton, an Aer Lingus ambassador, tells RTÉ Sport.
“They’ve given as much to the Irish jersey as I have or whoever you want to pick.
“Maybe I’d be saying something different if Tyler Bleyendaal starts playing out-half for Ireland in a couple of years.
“Maybe I’ll be a bit more bitter then, but I know the rules.
“The [Irish-born] players know the rules and they know they have to be better than these other guys that might only be here for three years, which can only be a good thing for the Irish team.
"If the right guys are here for three years and they want to play for Ireland and they want to give as much to the guys as I just mentioned, and it’s going to raise the standard of rugby, well, they are the rules at the moment."
Meanwhile, a decision from World Rugby is expected soon after it ordered a review to see if the "current regulation is fit for purpose".
The debate may go on for years but in the immediate future Sexton is focusing on Leinster.
They play Connacht on Saturday [RDS, 5.15pm], their first meeting with Pat Lam's men since losing the Pro12 final in May.
Withdrawn halfway through Sunday’s loss to Montpellier, Sexton, who insists he “knew he wouldn’t play a full game” and is “100% fit” for the Connacht clash, is happy enough that his understudy, Joey Carbery, is well able to deputise.
“I wish I had his side-step, the game would be a lot easier if I did,” said Sexton of the Clontarf man, who turns 21 next week.
“He’s been great since he came in. He burst in on the scene; it’s been great for the club.
“There’s great competition there and credit [is due] to the Leinster management, and the Irish management for spotting that talent because Joey was playing AIL [All Ireland League] last year."
“It’s great testament to the AIL that they are still producing players of that quality.”
Aer Lingus ambassador Johnny Sexton was at Dublin Airport today encouraging Ireland fans to bring #HomeAdvantage to Soldier Field in Chicago when Ireland take on the All Blacks on 5 November.
Sexton looking forward to New Zealand tie https://t.co/KamoxpMjGY
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 26, 2016
