Eddie Jones might have hoped to have a new prop prospect at his disposal for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but it's been confirmed Patrick Schickerling will not be eligible in time for next year's contest.
England came close to incurring a penalty from rugby's lawmakers after Schickerling was included on this past summer's triumphant tour of Australia. The Exeter Chiefs import represented the Red Rose in an uncapped defeat to the Barbarians in June but failed to make an appearance against the Wallabies.
Schickerling made the journey Down Under with he and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) under the impression he became eligible on residency in November 2021. The 24-year-old left Namibia to join Exeter in November 2018, at which point players were required to live in their adopted country for only three years.
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However, World Rugby increased that requirement to five years in January 2022, which means Schickerling must now wait until November 2023 before he becomes eligible for England duty. The Daily Mail reported Jones has viewed the prospect as a potential back-up to tighthead star Kyle Sinckler, but he'll be forced to consider other options for the time being.
"When I arrived in England in 2018, the rule was that you are eligible to play after three years of residency," Schickerling told Sportsmail in September. "I moved to Exeter and went straight on loan to Cornish Pirates. Two months later, the rule went up to five years. I was living in the UK for three years straight and I couldn’t go home because of Covid. That’s why!
After signing with Exeter in 2018, the prop impressed on loan with Championship outfit the Cornish Pirates before returning to Sandy Park. Schickerling has cruised over for seven tries in his last 17 Premiership appearances and has made a major impact thus far for the Chiefs.
Despite any hopes the Namibia-born brute might provide some front-row muscle in France next year, he's left in a state of limbo ahead of the World Cup. Schickerling is still eligible to represent his birth country, though Namibia's prospects are considerably less than those of England.
Instead, he may now be forced to eye the 2027 tournament in Australia as his first opportunity to make an on-field impact for England. Both Schickerling and the RFU will be frustrated with the situation and how such a significant clerical error was allowed.
England's loss will be Exeter's gain in the foreseeable future as Schickerling looks set to be free during any upcoming international windows. His example will also serve as a lesson for teams to be more certain of the specifics given the increased regularity at which players are switching allegiances.
