Opinion from the stands

Townsend comments on Rice are shortsighted

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Image for Townsend comments on Rice are shortsighted

OPINION

Andy Townsend has spoken out in criticism of the rules that have allowed Declan Rice switch international allegiance to represent England, despite having already played for the Republic of Ireland, but the BBC pundit’s comments are a little shortsighted.

Rice, who qualified to turn out of the Republic through his grandparents having been born in England, made the announcement via his personal Twitter on Wednesday afternoon.

Speaking to Radio 5 Live, however, Townsend, who himself represented Ireland despite being born in England, was critical of the regulations that allow such a switch to happen.

He said: “I think the rules are wrong and they don’t do anyone any favours.

“I do understand that, for many reasons, playing for England would be more significant than playing for Ireland. But I think once you have made the decision to play for a team, that should be it and you should get on with it.

“I don’t think there is any doubt that over time he will get an opportunity to play for the senior England national team, but it’s such a shame because I think he is ready now to really go and lead Ireland and propel them forward.

“But he’s made his call and that’s his decision.”

Ultimately, Townsend’s comments sound quite bitter and shortsighted more than anything else.

Yes, Rice has opted to play for the Republic of Ireland in the past, and it will be sore that he has abandoned that setup in favour of the Three Lions, but in many ways, it’s no wonder that, as a teenager, he jumped at the first chance of international football he was given.

Rice is supremely talented, but there were never any guarantees of his ever being on England’s radar, and to makes sense that he would choose to play at the highest level as soon as possible.

That doesn’t mean that it was the right choice for him, however. Rice was born in England, grew up a West Ham player, and, in reality, probably feels more English than he does Irish.

But even then, that is only something that the player himself would be able to confirm, and national identity and a sense of belonging are factors that can shift throughout adult life – especially at Rice’s young age.

Townsend more than anybody should understand this, having chosen to play for Ireland despite being born in England, but his comments seem to completely ignore this fact.

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