Munster Star Admits He Wants To Declare For Ireland
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Residency.
South African-born Munster flanker Chris Cloete has admitted he has ambitions to play for Ireland, with the 28-year-old set to become eligible for the men in green in 2020.
Cloete is one of several Munster players who have come to Ireland in recent years to take advantage of the residency rule. Fellow South African CJ Stander has become a mainstay in the Ireland set-up, while New Zealander Tyler Bleyendaal is also eligible after serving his time.
Other current Munster players who will soon become eligible include lock Jean Kleyn who becomes eligible just before the Rugby World Cup in Japan and Kiwi hooker Rhys Marshall.
Cloete – who extended his Munster contract through to 2022 last October – has a strong ambition to play for Ireland when he qualifies in 2020 under the residency rule.
“I won’t be going back to South Africa at all,” Cloete told The42.ie
“I’m here to hopefully qualify and play for Ireland. I won’t be going back, I’m here now and I’m going to make the best of this opportunity. I’d love to play for Ireland one day.”
Do you think Cloete has the skills to make it at Test level?
