That Declan Rice can switch sides three years after declaring for Ireland is key issue

There is unlikely to be much sympathy in Ireland for the emotional turmoil Declan Rice is going through over whether to choose England over the Boys in Green for his international future, but the rules surely need revision, as all involved reflect on what is becoming an increasingly unseemly battle for young talent on the global stage, writes Chris Hatherall

Given that he was born in London, plays in London and has English parents, there should be no doubting that the teenage defender is qualified to play for England — but the point at which such a decision is made is starting to become a major issue, especially so soon after Jack Grealish also swapped green for white.