After gaining Olympic status, the IRB was forced to change its eligibility rules allowing players to represent another country should they meet set criteria.

Previously, players who had received a single cap for one nation, at sevens or 15s level, were unable to play for another.

The rule change allowed a player to compete for another country following an 18-month stand-down period, should that player hold a valid passport, and if they have competed at sevens level for the nation, as sevens is the only Olympic qualified discipline.

Fears that nations would exploit this system to bring in talent from other countries ahead of Rugby World Cup 2015 have forced another change by the IRB.

Under the new guidelines, a player wishing to represent another country will now have to play in a minimum four Sevens World Series matches before they can make the switch.

They must also show a "genuine, close, credible and established national link" with the country they opt to play for.

If the player decides to pursue this loophole then they cannot revert back to their original capped-country if it fails to work out.

The rule change will make it nearly impossible for Steffon Armitage to make the switch to France ahead of Rugby World Cup 2015 ©Getty Images


The ruling is likely to block former England international Steffon Armitage from representing France at next year's World Cup after being named in the sides enlarged 74-man squad.

Armitage has not represented England since 2010 due to his move to French team Toulon, with English players not being selected for the national squad if they happen to play their domestic league rugby outside of the country, unless special circumstances are given.

Following the ruling, IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "These rulings of the IRB Regulations Committee will further assist our Unions with their preparation and underscores our commitment to ensure a successful and spectacular Olympic Games debut at Rio 2016 and beyond."

The global qualification process for Rugby Sevens' Olympic Games debut is set to begin in October for men and December for women.

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