IRB rules Warwick unable to play for Ireland

Paul Warwick
By LDTT
April 20 2006

Paul Warwick, pictured in the background to the left and playing at full-back against the Dragons, has got confirmation that he will not be able to gain eligibility to play for Ireland. The IRB has decreed that Warwick's appearances for the Australian Sevens side count against him.

The Brisbane-born Warwick said in a recent interview: "The initial thought when I came over (in 2004) was that if there was a rule change I might be available for Ireland. But that hasn't happened and it's no real bother to me. "It would have been nice to play international footy but it's not to be. I become an Irish citizen at the end of next year so at least I'll be classed as a local player, and that should make life easier for the club. "So there was no real disappointment there because there was no real guarantee that I'd get picked anyway," admitted the 25-year-old.