In the Rugby world no time for rest

They’re talking of it in The Times

The crowds await the very best

A visit from the British Lions

Their title now includes the “Irish”

“Transparency” being most desired

But is it still too much to wish

A reference to the Southern hires?

Those mercenaries from Southern climes

With grannies hailing from the North

World Rugby says it’s different times

“Irish” “Scottish” they’ll be henceforth

And in the absence of a granny

There’s still a Northern rugby franchise

And the fiction of a “residency”

To underpin the pack of lies

Ah! “The integrity of Test rugby”

Based upon each nation’s best

The concept now completely rubbery

In favour of a money-fest

Ireland, Scotland, they comply

With WR’s commercial zeal

They know where their interests lie

They know which players they can steal

A winger known as Van der Merwe

Lacked the needed ancestry

But he knew enough of how to swerve

Through the gate of residency

Similarly, with Bundee Aki

Totally lacking Irish connection

Who cares about his “nationality”

NZ’s a fading recollection

Recently there’s been announced

A swim event with drugs allowed

The organisers have pronounced

Restraint thereof will be unbound

Is that where rugby’s heading too?

The ending of a cherished culture

An Aussie wearing Scottish blue?

Kiwis swiped by scouting vultures?

The rugby world has closed its mouth

Eight “Lions” players, look at their stats

Their total link is in the South

As “lions” they are completely ersatz

Whither the “integrity of the game”?

What does playing a “test match” mean?

What is left of a country’s name?

How to define a “National Team”?