IMO it should be, if you count on the quota you're not eligible for England.

But it doesn't bother me that much, Karl Pryce is representing Jamaica isn't he? Why shouldn't we play by the same rules everyone else is. It made me smile though that Chase approached Macca rather than the other way round. You would have thought the full time England coach would know whether the best half back in SL was eligible or not.

IMO there is a message here that the RFL & Macca don't believe that any current English half back are good enough to compete against the Aussies.
They are so desperate for a short term fix that they are prepared to put Rangi in the team.
I don't know what this say's about young home grown half backs coming through the system , or if Macca even cares, because he's unlikely to be around when his contract expires.
Its a classic case of a quick fix over a long term development of a home grown player.

Problem is, Chase is only 24 and likely to be better than any English half back for the next 5 years.

If someone could step up their game to compete, would the coach and the RFL drop Chase, even if he was performing better than his competition?

Doesn't send out a good message if they dropped the better player, after relying on that player to help them out of a sticky patch.

Widdop has been doing great in the halfs in Australia this year, earning rave reviews - would rather him get a chance in the 4 Nations competition.

So, one of the best half backs in SL wants to play for England. People constantly bemoan the lack of talent and quality in the national side. The inclusion of this player would improve the team.

I fail to see the problem

It doesn't solve the initial problem.

Well no, huge amounts of work at the grass roots of the sport is needed to fix that.

Does he want to play for England or does he just want to play International RL?

I want to go support the best English players against Australia/NZ. I don't really care if Australia have already picked Tongans etc.. it's just devalues what the International game should be about IMO.

I wonder if supporters over here will take the same viewpoint if NRL clubs take a few more of our promising youngsters and then Australia find a way of claiming them for the National team.

I never sing the national anthem.

If it carries on like this will we see the top players choosing their international team on the basis that they "want to win things" not because they are proud of their heritage. What will be the point of internationals then? We may as well just have a bigger WCC.

You're born to English parents. Simples.

What if you are born in this country with one English parent, or neither parent is English? What about those fleeing persecution in other countries who have made their homes here? What about those whose native country doesn't play RL & have settled here?
You would discount Olsi Krasniqi from Quins as he was born in ALbania? You would discount a shed load of black players who have excelled at English/GB RL as I would guess not all of their parents were English.?

EXACTLY. If a dog is born in a stable does that make it a horse?

What if you are born in this country with one English parent, or neither parent is English? What about those fleeing persecution in other countries who have made their homes here? What about those whose native country doesn't play RL & have settled here?
You would discount Olsi Krasniqi from Quins as he was born in ALbania? You would discount a shed load of black players who have excelled at English/GB RL as I would guess not all of their parents were English.?

Please advise which of the above applies to chase?

comparing apples and pears doesn't help.

It is irrelevant. The poster said the criteria for being picked for England is having English parents. I have asked a series of follow up questions which so far he & his jingoistic follower have not yet answered.

Okay, I do agree with some of your points, there should be exceptions for ' special' circumstances, but in this example, none of which apply.

Imo, the only reason players have got away with appearing for different countries was due to the international rugby board wanting a competitive world cup.

This then looked farcical when you have players like Brough swapping the country he wants to play for, depending on the upcoming tournament.

In my opinion you should only represent the country of your heritage ie people with English parentage play for England, end of story. You do not pick and choose and change your mind. This carry on makes a total mockery of the whole point of international sport. How can you have pride in your nation when it is not your nation?
If some one originates from a non RL playing nation then picking them just because there bus stopped here is hardly a valid reason.

So, should Olsi Krasniqi be eligible for England?

In my opinion no, because he is not English.

Yes he is.

A worthy winner. I bet he's the sort of player that the rest of the competition don't enjoy playing against - he's tough, fast & skillful.

You say he was born in Albania, correct me if i am wrong but i assume of Albanain parents? If this is the case then he is Albanian.
I believe you are getting confused between being British ie a British passport holder, and being English which is a racial group. There is a difference between the two.

Hear that pop? Thats the sound of a can of worms being opened...

Not really. It is just a statement of fact, unless any one can tell me where you can get an 'English' passport.

You are born English, you can not become English.
You can however be born elsewhere and of foreign parentage and become a British citizen and passport holder.