5. Mako & Billy Vunipola – Tonga (Eligible in 2026)
A double helping to close out our article, as the veteran England pairing of Mako and Billy Vunipola will be eligible to play for Tonga at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Mako could make his debut for the Sea Eagles before his back-row brother joins him in camp, as the former England prop last played a Test match in the 2023 Six Nations, whilst Billy ran-out on the Test match stage until the Rugby World Cup semi-finals.
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The Vunipolas would depart Saracens together, at the end of the 2023/24 Premiership season, in what was the end of an era for the London club.
Billy & Mako departed alongside Owen Farrell,as the brothers headed to the French Top 14 along with the former England fly half. Billy moved to the South Coast with Montpellier, whilst Mako arrived upon the North shores with his transfer to to the newly promoted RC Vannes.
Whilst Farrell has since returned to Saracens after an underwhelming season with Racing 92, Mako and Billy look set to extend their stints in France. Whilst the prospect of the legendary Vunipola brothers returning to England would be a draw in the Premiership, the prospect of seeing the pair represent Tonga in 2027 sparks plenty of excitement to help the Pacific Island nation grow.
The changes to the eligibility laws have been wondrous for the smaller Pacific Nations so far, as former All Blacks Malakai Fekitoa and Lima Sopoaga habe since returned to Tonga and Samoa respectively, whilst former Wallabies fly half Christian Leali’ifano has also gone on to represent Samoa. The window will be there for Mako and Billy Vunipola, for a momentous final farewell in new international colours.