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Scotland opposes bid to increase residency qualification

(Reuters) - The Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) will oppose the proposal to increase the residency qualification period from three to five years, according to a media report on Friday. England's Rugby Football Union appears set to impose its own five-year rule if the proposal does not get the required 75 per cent majority when the World Rugby council vote on the proposal for a global rule change in May. "We are in favour of the status quo. We think the three-year rule works as it stands. We think players can show commitment over that time and put down roots," a spokesman for the SRU told British newspaper The Times. The SRU is likely to find an ally in Ireland, both countries benefiting from the existing three-year rule and fielding several foreign-born players who qualified on the grounds of residency. (Reporting by Shravanth Vijayakumar in Bengaluru)