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Israel Folau major bombshell

Israel Folau could be set for a stunning return to international rugby union due to a change in eligibility rules.

Remember, the former Catalans Dragons star had been sacked and banned by Rugby Australia for a series of homophobic posts on social media back in 2019, which paved the way for Folau to return to rugby league.

He took a chance in the south of France with the Dragons, but played just one season before returning home to Australia to play with his brothers at the Southport Tigers in the local Gold Coast leagues.

Folau has also been rumoured to be assessing whether or not to take an active role in politics with close friend and Southport Tigers owner Clive Palmer a member of the United Australia Party.

Now, though, World Rugby has changed its eligibility rules meaning that, from January 2022, a player can represent another country following three years of not playing.

Folau, therefore, is set to resume his international career with Tonga with head coach Toutai Kefu stating that the 32-year-old will “come straight in”.

“We’ve been talking to a lot of players over the last 12-18 months … Israel Folau is ready to jump on board, he’ll come straight in to the team or in the squad next year,” Kefu told the ABC.

“I’m sure there will be some controversy but we’ll cross that bridge when it comes.

“That’s always been our goal is to get those players playing for us.

“The biggest change we can make in terms of getting wins it to change the class of player we have and changing this rule does that straight away.”

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