THE ISSUE OF international eligibility in rugby is one that has been widely and strongly debated in recent times, but Richardt Strauss doesn’t have anything to prove.
Strauss carries the ball against Wales. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
The hooker was granted Irish citizenship alongside Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt and the IRFU’s Olly Hodges at a ceremony in Dublin last week. Strauss first signed for Leinster in 2009 and has gone on to win 10 Ireland caps, including one off the bench against England last weekend.
The 29-year-old earned his first international cap against his native South Africa in 2012, and has since gone through the shock of being diagnosed with a heart condition in 2013, before making a remarkably quick recovery from the subsequent surgery.
His passion for playing for Ireland has always been worn on his sleeve and Strauss says he’s thrilled to have been granted his citizenship.
Though it changes his official status, Strauss underlines that he has never felt anything other than Irish when representing the country.
“The first time I played for Ireland was a very proud moment for me. I don’t think that’s going to change, that feeling I get every time I put on the green jersey and represent the country.