The recognition of Pacific Island rugby players has always been made possible through international rugby clubs.

World rugby is currently rolling out a programme that gives rugby players from the Pacific a chance to develop the sports in their own countries.

World Rugby high performance coach Peter Horne says the programme is vital to the future development of Pacific Island rugby.

“The combine itself is really about players that have identifiable talent from the Pacific Challenge and giving them an opportunity to go into other competition such as the NRC or Super Rugby abroad an do a professional contract the idea is that, by elevating them to another level in a different training environment will accelerate the growth and development of that player.”

Programme Manager Chris Hickey says they face a tough decision in selecting the final 26 players to take part in the scheme.

This is the second year of the programme and there has been a marked increase in the number of Fijian players selected compared to last year