original_query: What is the significance of the continuous residency requirement in rugby?
query: What is the significance of the continuous residency requirement in rugby regarding player eligibility?
answer: From December 31, 2020, the continuous residency requirement for international eligibility increased from three to five years, unless the player qualifies by birth or parentage.  Players with 10 years of cumulative residency are eligible even if they don't meet the continuous residency requirement.  Additionally, from January 1, 2018, playing for an under-20 national team no longer binds a player to that country at a senior level.