# List of players who have converted from one football code to another

There are many footballers who have converted from one football code to another at a professional or representative level. In some cases, the player may also return to the original code, so the traffic is not merely one way.
In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, United States, Ireland and Australia, where multiple codes are popular, and the practice of switching codes is relatively common, such players are known as code converts or code hoppers. In Australia, star code converts can have a substantial impact on the games. For instance, Dally Messenger's defection from rugby union to rugby league was considered a pivotal moment in the establishment of the latter over other codes in Australia.
Globalisation is increasing the opportunities for players to transfer to different countries and to different professional sports, including the forms of football.

## From American football
### American football to Association football

| Name | Country | Top American football level | Top Association football level | American football debut | Association football debut |
| Boris Shlapak | USA | NFL (Baltimore Colts) | NASL (Chicago Sting) | 1972 | 1975 |

### American football to Australian rules football

| Name | Country | Top American football level | Top Australian rules level | American football debut | Australian rules debut |
| Dwayne Armstrong | USA | NCAA Division I (Iowa State) | AFL reserves (Essendon) | 1991 | 1995 |
| Brandon Kaufman | USA | NFL (Buffalo – Practice squad) | NEAFL (Gold Coast) | 2013 | 2016 |
| Jacinda Barclay | USA | Legends Football League (Chicago Bliss) | AFL Women's (Greater Western Sydney) | 2016 | 2017 |
| Richelle Cranston | Australia | Australia, Gridiron Victoria (Geelong Buccaneers) | AFL Women's (Melbourne)(Geelong)(Western Bulldogs) | 2015 | 2017 |

### American football to Canadian football

American football and Canadian football are very similar gridiron codes; talented Canadian youth players are often recruited by American universities offering scholarships, and conversely the Canadian Football League enforces roster minimums for Canadian-trained players to prevent its clubs from fielding American-dominated teams. The CFL and NFL competed for the same player pool in their earlier years before the CFL settled into a de facto (and from time to time formal) developmental role to its American counterpart. Dozens of professional players move between these codes' top professional leagues every year, making any attempt at a list incomplete at best.
Two quarterbacks in particular became well known in both codes. Warren Moon, a California native who starred at the University of Washington, began his professional career with the Edmonton Eskimos before crossing the border back south to the Houston Oilers and later Minnesota Vikings, earning Hall of Fame recognition in both professional leagues. Doug Flutie, who authored a comeback win for Boston College considered an iconic moment in the history of American college football, began his professional football career in the USFL before moving on to the NFL, then played a long CFL career that led to him being the first non-Canadian honored with induction to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, before returning to the NFL to close his football career. Dwayne Johnson played college football, and was on practice squad in the Canadian Football League. Ricky Williams played 12 seasons in the National Football League, one season in the Canadian Football League (CFL), and four years of minor league baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies.

### American football to rugby league

| Name | Country | Top American football level | Top rugby league level | American football debut | Rugby league debut |
| Manfred Moore | USA | National Football League (San Francisco/Tampa Bay/Oakland) | New South Wales Rugby Football League (Newtown) | 1974 | 1977 |
| Philippe Gardent | France | NFL (Washington – Practice squad) | National League One (Crusaders) | 2006 | 2008 |

### American football to rugby union

| Name | Country | Top American football level | Top rugby union level | Top representation level | American football debut | Rugby union debut |
| Richard Tardits | France, USA | National Football League (New England) | Top 14 (Biarritz) | USA (15s) | 1990 | 1994 |
| Dan Lyle | USA | NCAA Division I FCS (Virginia Military Institute) | English Premiership (Bath/Leicester) | USA (15s) | 1988 | 1996 |
| Dave Hodges | USA | NCAA Division III (Occidental College) | Welsh Premiership (Llanelli) | USA (15s) | 1988 | 1997 |
| Leonard Peters | USA | National Football League (Chicago – Practice squad) | IRB Sevens World Series (USA) | USA (7s) USA (15s) | 2007 | 2009 |
| Perry Baker | USA | National Football League (Cincinnati – Injured reserve) | | USA (7s) | 2006 | 2010 |
| Carlin Isles | USA | National Football League (Detroit – Practice squad) | Pro12 (Glasgow Warriors) | USA (7s) | 2013 | 2014 |
| Nate Ebner | USA | National Football League (New England) | Olympics (USA) | USA (7s) | 2012 | 2016 |
| Jarryd Hayne | Australia, Fiji | National Football League (San Francisco) | World Rugby Sevens Series (Fiji) | Fiji (7s) | 2015 | 2016 |
| Paul Lasike | New Zealand | National Football League Arizona Cardinals Chicago Bears | Major League Rugby (Utah Warriors) Premiership Rugby (Harlequin F.C.) | USA | 2015 | 2018 |
| Psalm Wooching | USA & Samoa | NCAA Division I college football (University of Washington, Washington Huskies) | Major League Rugby (San Diego Legion) | USA | 2012 | 2018 |
NB:
* Isles made the Detroit Lions practice squad late in the 2013 season, after having become a sevens international. However, he never appeared in an NFL game, and has since signed a professional contract in 15s.
* Tardits switched codes twice: to American football as a young adult, and back to rugby union after a brief NFL career. He played for Biarritz Olympique and the France under-21 national team before switching to American football, and played for the USA national team after returning to his original code.

## From association football
### Association football to American football

Numerous American football placekickers grew up playing association football (soccer); however, very few have competed at a very high level in their original code. A large number of the first "soccer-style" placekickers of the 1960s, and early 1970s were Europeans and Latin Americans who changed codes in adulthood. Eventually, kickers who changed codes in adulthood were largely, though not completely, displaced by players who were either born and raised in the U.S. or immigrated to the U.S. at a relatively early age, thus receiving more exposure to American football than most of the first soccer-style placekickers.
Most of the women to have played men's American football have crossed over from association football.
| Name | Country | Top association football level | Top American football level | Top representation level |
| Phil Alexander | England | Norwich City F.C. | London Monarchs | N/A |
| Clive Allen | England | Tottenham Hotspur F.C. | London Monarchs | England national football team |
| Jesús Angoy | Spain | FC Barcelona | Barcelona Dragons | N/A |
| Obed Ariri | Nigeria | Chicago Sting, P & T Vasco da Gama | Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, 2 others | N/A |
| Brandon Aubrey | USA | Toronto FC | Dallas Cowboys | Pro Bowl (American football) |
| Chris Bahr | USA | Philadelphia Atoms | Oakland/LA Raiders, 2 others | N/A |
| Matt Bahr | USA | Colorado Caribous, Tulsa Roughnecks | Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, 4 others | N/A |
| Manfred Burgsmüller | Germany | Borussia Dortmund, Werder Bremen | Rhein Fire | Germany national football team |
| Silvio Diliberto | Netherlands | Sparta, Roda JC, Haarlem, Eindhoven | Amsterdam Admirals | |
| Toni Fritsch | Austria | Rapid Vienna | Dallas Cowboys, San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints | Austria national football team (soccer) Pro Bowl (American football) |
| Florian Kempf | USA | Philadelphia Fury | Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints | N/A |
| Axel Kruse | GDR, Germany | Hansa Rostock, Hertha BSC, Eintracht Frankfurt, VfB Stuttgart | Berlin Thunder | East Germany national under-21 football team (soccer) |
| Josh Lambo | USA | FC Dallas | San Diego Chargers | United States U20 (soccer) |
| Toni Linhart | Austria | Wiener Sport-Club | New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Colts, New York Jets | Austria national football team Pro Bowl (American football) |
| Tony Meola | USA | MetroStars, Kansas City Wizards | New York Jets (didn't pass tryouts) | US National Team (soccer) |
| Horst Mühlmann | Germany | FC Schalke 04, Bonner SC, Kansas City Spurs | Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles | N/A |
| Neil O'Donoghue | Ireland | Shamrock Rovers | Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Cardinals | N/A |
| Derek Smethurst | South Africa | Chelsea, Millwall, Tampa Bay Rowdies | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (cut due to injury) | N/A (due to apartheid, RSA banned from FIFA, 1964–91) |
| Liz Heaston | USA | Willamette Bearcats | Willamette Bearcats | First female to play college football |
| Ashley Martin | USA | Jacksonville State Gamecocks | Jacksonville State Gamecocks | First female to play NCAA football |
| Devin Barclay | USA | MLS | Ohio State Buckeyes football | N/A |
| Jon Brown | USA | Louisville Cardinals men's soccer | Louisville Cardinals football | United States men's national under-17 soccer team |
| Julie Harshbarger | USA | Rockford College, Benedictine University | Chicago Pythons | First female to score a field goal in professional football |

### Association football to Australian rules football

Following the establishment of AFL Women's in 2016 (the first professional women's Australian rules football competition), several A-League Women players switched codes as they could augment their earnings in the off-season. Foot skills are advantageous in switching between these codes and goalkeepers have an advantage in marking and ball handling.
| Name | Country | Top association football level | Top Australian rules level | Top representation level | Association Football debut | Australian rules debut |
| Catherine Brown | Australia | Canberra United (W-League) | Hawthorn (AFL Women's) | N/A | 2012 | 2022 |
| Jessica Waterhouse | Australia U17 | Adelaide United (W-League) | Adelaide (AFL Women's) | N/A | 2012 | 2022 |
| Lulu Pullar | Australia | Brisbane Roar (W-League) | Brisbane (AFL Women's) | N/A | 2017 | 2022 |
| Angelique Stannett | New Zealand | Perth Glory (W-League) | Fremantle (AFL Women's) | N/A | 2015 | 2019 |
| Marijana Rajcic | Australia | Adelaide United (W-League) | Adelaide (AFL Women's) | N/A | 2009 | 2018 |
| Emma Pittman | Australia | Brisbane Roar (W-League) | Brisbane/Gold Coast (AFL Women's) | N/A | 2012 | 2018 |
| Evangeline Gooch | Australia | Perth Glory (W-League) | Fremantle West Coast (AFL Women's) | N/A | 2015 | 2017 |
| Ellie Brush | Australia | Canberra United (W-League) | Greater Western Sydney (AFL Women's) | Australia (soccer) | 2008 | 2017 |
| Brianna Davey | Australia | Melbourne Victory (W-League) Melbourne City (W-League) | Carlton (AFL Women's) | Australia (soccer) | 2010 | 2017 |
| Jenna McCormick | Australia | Adelaide United (W-League) Canberra United (W-League) | Adelaide (AFL Women's) | Australia (soccer) | 2012 | 2017 |
| Kristi Harvey | Australia | Adelaide United (W-League) | Carlton (VFL Women's) | N/A | 2009 | 2017 |
| Peter Halstead | New Zealand | Team Wellington (New Zealand Football Championship) | Wellington Australian Football League (AFL New Zealand) | New Zealand (AR) | 2007 | 2016 |
| Broc McCauley | Australia | Queensland Roar (Brisbane Premier League) | Brisbane Lions/Hawthorn Football Club (AFL) | N/A | 2006 | 2007 |
| Joanne Butland | Australia | Canberra Eclipse/QAS Sting (Women's National Soccer League) | AFL Cairns | Australia (soccer) Australia (International rules) | 1999 | 2003 |
| Brad Green | Australia | Launceston United SC (Northern Championship) | Melbourne (AFL) | N/A (International rules captain) | 1996 | 2000 |

### Association football to Gaelic football

| Name | Country | Top association football level | Top Gaelic football level | Playing era |
| Ciarán Lyng | Ireland | Preston North End F.C., Shrewsbury Town F.C., Ireland underage teams | Wexford senior football team | 2000s |
| Shane Supple | Ireland | Ipswich Town F.C., Falkirk F.C. | Dublin senior football team | 2000s |
| Anthony Tohill | Ireland | Derry City F.C., Manchester United F.C. Reserves | Derry senior football team | 1990s, 2000s |

### Association football to rugby league

| Name | Country | Top association football level | Top rugby league level | Top representation level | Playing era |
| Ted Bateson | England | Blackburn Rovers | Wakefield Trinity | none | 1920s |
| Albert Brough | England | Barrow A.F.C. | Oldham | Great Britain (RL) | 1920s |
* St Helens R.F.C. players Steve Tyrer and Matty Smith were on the books at Wigan Athletic and Everton F.C. respectively. Tyrer was a goalkeeper and Smith was a midfielder, the latter appearing in the Everton reserve team on a few occasions.
* Bill Riches signed for Hull City in 1938 and played a number of wartime matches as a centre half. Following the war he played for Batley and Hull FC at rugby league. He was also capped many times for the Yorkshire representative team. He retired in 1956.

### Association football to rugby union

* Luke McAlister, a New Zealand international rugby union footballer, grew up in the north-west of England and had a trial with Manchester United before converting to rugby union at an early age.
* The late Nevin Spence, former Ulster and Ireland A player, played for Northern Ireland under 16s before switching to rugby.
* Loreto Cucchiarelli former player-coach of the Italian rugby union team, played football for Lazio at a young age.
* Conrad Jantjes played for the youth national team of South Africa in soccer, rugby union and cricket.
* Brothers Kevin O'Flanagan and Mick O'Flanagan represented Ireland in both soccer and rugby union.
* Kenny Logan, Scottish rugby internationalist had Football trials as a goalkeeper for Dundee United and Hearts.
* England international Danny Cipriani played on the junior team of Queens Park Rangers and was offered a spot in Reading's youth setup before switching to rugby. Even after his switch, he has flirted with a return to association football, having trained with QPR, Tottenham, the Colorado Rapids, and most recently MK Dons.
* Melissa Ruscoe has not only represented New Zealand in both soccer and rugby union, but has captained both sides.
* Frank Hadden, Scottish rugby player and coach, had trials with both Queens Park Rangers and Forfar Athletic, as well as being offered a contract by Raith Rovers.
* Wesley Fofana, a France international rugby union player, grew up in the Paris region of France and trained as a youth with CFF Paris before switching to rugby union as a teenager.
* Filipo Daugunu, a Fijian-Australian rugby union player changed sports after being an amateur/semi-professional goalkeeper in Fiji.
* Paulo Scanlan, a Samoan rugby 7's player changed sports after being a professional attacking midfielder in Samoa.

## From Australian rules football
### Australian rules football to American football

Notably, the specialist role of punter in American football requires similar skills to those found in Australian football players.
| Name | Country | Top Australian rules level | Top American football level | Australian rules debut | American football debut |
| Pat O'Dea | Australia | Victoria, Victorian Football Association (Melbourne) | College football (Wisconsin–Madison) | 1893 | 1896 |
| Colin Ridgeway | Australia | Victorian Football League reserves (Carlton) | National Football League (Dallas) | 1960s | 1965 |
| Darren Bennett | Australia | Australian Football League (West Coast/Melbourne) | National Football League (San Diego/Minnesota) | 1982 | 1995 |
| Nathan Chapman | Australia | Australian Football League (Brisbane/Hawthorn) | National Football League (Green Bay) | 1992 | 2004 |
| Ben Graham | Australia | Australian Football League (Geelong) | National Football League (New York/New Orleans/Arizona/Detroit) | 1992 | 2005 |
| Saverio Rocca | Australia | Australian Football League (Collingwood/North Melbourne) | National Football League (Philadelphia/Washington) | 1992 | 2007 |
| Chris Bryan | Australia | Australian Football League (Carlton/Collingwood) | National Football League (Green Bay/Tampa Bay/New York) | 2005 | 2010 |
| Scott Harding | Australia | Australian Football League (Brisbane/Port Adelaide) | NCAA Division I (Hawaii) | 2006 | 2011 |
| Joel Wilkinson | Australia | Australian Football League (Gold Coast) | National Football League (Arizona – Practice squad) | 2011 | 2016 |
| Eric Wallace | United States | Victorian Football League (North Ballarat/Werribee) | National Football League (Carolina – Practice squad) | 2013 | 2016 |
| Lac Edwards | Australia | Victorian Football League (North Ballarat) | National Football League (New York) | 2011 | 2016 |
| Jacinda Barclay | Australia | West Australian Women's Football League (Swan Districts) | Legends Football League (Chicago Bliss) | 2016 | 2017 |
| Cameron Johnston | Australia | Victorian Football League (Casey) | National Football League (Philadelphia) | 2011 | 2018 |
| Michael Dickson | Australia | North East Australian Football League (Sydney Swans Reserves) | National Football League (Seattle) | 2014 | 2018 |
| Ben Griffiths | Australia | Australian Football League (Richmond) | NCAA Division I (University of Southern California) | 2010 | 2019 |
| Ben Lennon | Australia | Australian Football League (Richmond) | NCAA Division I (University of Utah) | 2014 | 2019 |
| Arryn Siposs | Australia | Australian Football League (St Kilda) | National Football League (Detroit Lions) | 2011 | 2018 |
| Max Duffy | Australia | Australian Football League (Fremantle) | NCAA Division I (University of Kentucky) | 2013 | 2018 |
| Richelle Cranston | New Zealand/Australia | AFL Women's (Melbourne)(Geelong)(Western Bulldogs) | Australian national women's team, Gridiron Victoria (Geelong Buccaneers) | 2012 | 2015 |
| Patrick Murtagh | Australia | Victorian Football League (Gold Coast) | National Football League (Jacksonville Jaguars) | 2021 | 2024 |

### Australian rules football to association football

International rules participation provides experience with the round ball and goalkeeping.
As well as the players below, players known to have played amateur level soccer after retiring from the AFL include Gary Ablett, James Hird, Gavin Wanganeen, Glenn Manton and Ang Christou.
| Name | Country | Top Australian rules level | Top association football level | Top representation level | Australian rules debut | Association football debut |
| Peter Bevilaqua | Australia | Victorian Football League (Carlton) | Victorian Premier League (Brunswick Juventus) | N/A | 1953 | 1954 |
| Fred Agius | Australia | South Australian National Football League (Central Districts) | National Soccer League (Adelaide United) | Olyroos (Soccer) | 2003 | 2003 |
| Angelo Lekkas | Australia | Australian Football League (Hawthorn) | Victorian Premier League (South Melbourne) | Victoria (AR) Australia (Inter-rules) | 1993 | 2005 |

### Australian rules football to Canadian football

Notably, the specialist role of punter in Canadian football requires similar skills to those found in Australian football players.
| Name | Country | Top Australian rules level | Top Canadian football level | Australian rules debut | Canadian football debut |
| Josh Bartel | Australia | Ovens & Murray Football League (Wodonga) | Canadian Football League (Hamilton/Saskatchewan) | | 2012 |

### Australian rules football to Gaelic football

Some players involved in the Irish Experiment to play professional Australian rules football returned to Ireland and went on to be notable in senior level Gaelic football. Such players have included:
| Name | Country | Top Australian rules level | Top Gaelic football level | Top representation level | Australian rules debut | Gaelic football debut |
| Paul Earley | Ireland | Victorian Football League (Melbourne) | Gaelic Athletic Association (Roscommon) | Ireland (Inter-rules) | 1984 | 1985 |
| Dermot McNicholl | Ireland | Victorian Football League (St Kilda) | Gaelic Athletic Association (Derry) | Ireland (Inter-rules) | 1989 | 1991 |
| Anthony Tohill | Ireland | Australian Football League reserves (Melbourne) | Gaelic Athletic Association (Derry) | Ireland (Inter-rules) | 1990 | 1991 |
| Brian Stynes | Ireland | Australian Football League (Melbourne) | Gaelic Athletic Association (Dublin) | Ireland (Inter-rules) Ireland (AR) | 1992 | 1995 |
| Tadhg Kennelly | Ireland | Australian Football League (Sydney) | Gaelic Athletic Association (Kerry) | Ireland (Inter-rules) | 2001 | 2009 |
| Conor McKenna | Ireland | Australian Football League (Essendon) | Gaelic Athletic Association (Tyrone) | Ireland (Inter-rules) | 2015 | 2021 |

### Australian rules football to rugby league

Early in the history of the two codes in Australia, players would interchange the codes and even had discussions of merging them into a single game. Rugby league has since evolved to specialise in physicality and body type making it more difficult for successful conversion between the two, although it does sometimes happen at junior level, particularly in areas where both codes are played (such as the Riverina region). Though the modern specialist fullback and wing positions in rugby league can be suitable for the body type and skill of some Australian rules players. League players Darren Lockyer, Glenn Lazarus, Greg Brentnall, Chris Kinna, Eric McCormack, Laurie Daley, Bradley Clyde, Kevin Proctor, Matt Duffie, Shaun Johnson, Tom Trbojevic, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, William Warbrick, Kalyn Ponga and Corey Horsburgh all played Aussie Rules at a junior level.
| Name | Country | Top Australian rules level | Top rugby league level | Top representation level | Australian rules debut | Rugby league debut |
| Eric Frauenfelder | Australia | OMFL (Albury) | QRL (Past Brothers) | New South Wales (AR) Queensland (RL) | 1918 | 1921 |
| Jimmy Stiff | Australia | NSWAFA (South Sydney) | NSWRL (South Sydney) | New South Wales (AR) | 1925 | 1935 |
| Barry Spring | Australia | Queensland Australian National Football League (Mayne) | Brisbane Rugby League (Northern Suburbs) | Queensland (AR) | | 1969 |
| Ray Smith | Australia | Queensland Australian National Football League (Western Districts) | Brisbane Rugby League (Fortitude Valley) | Queensland (AR) | 1963 | 1970 |
| Greg Brentnall | Australia | Riverina Football League (Turvey Park) | New South Wales Rugby League (Canterbury-Bankstown) | New South Wales U18 (AR) Australia (RL) | 1960s | 1974 |
| Adrian Barich | Australia | Australian Football League (West Coast) | Australian Rugby League reserves (Western Reds) | New South Wales (AR) Western Australia (AR) | 1987 | 1995 |
| Rhan Hooper | Australia | Australian Football League (Brisbane Lions) | Queensland Rugby League (Ipswich Jets) | – | 2006 | 2012 |
| Josh Hall | Australia | Australian Football League (Gold Coast) | New South Wales Cup (Penrith) | – | 2012 | 2016 |
| Shem Tatupu | New Zealand | Victorian Football League (Box Hill/Hawthorn) | National Rugby League (Melbourne Storm) | New Zealand (AR) | 2014 | - |
| Haneen Zreika | Australia | AFLW (GWS Giants) | NSWRL Women's Premiership (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs/South Sydney Rabbitohs) | – | 2018 | 2019 |
| Brooke Walker | Australia | AFLW (Carlton) | NRLW (Parramatta Eels) | Victoria (RL) | 2019 | 2020 |
| Paige Parker | Australia | AFLW (Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast Suns) | NRLW (Newcastle Knights) | – | 2019 | 2021 |
| Tori Groves-Little | Australia | AFLW (Gold Coast Suns) | QRL Women's Premiership (Souths Logan Magpies) | – | 2019 | 2024 |

### Australian rules football to rugby union

Jason Akermanis was the first professional Australian football player to suggest a switch to rugby union. Nevertheless, there are still some positions and roles that have commonalities. Also at amateur level, conversion is quite common, as in the case of many start-up Australian rules clubs in countries such as France and countries such as New Zealand, Samoa and Papua New Guinea where there are dual-internationals at junior level.
| Name | Country | Top Australian rules level | Top rugby union level | Top representation level | Australian rules debut | Rugby union debut |
| George Coulthard | Australia | Victorian Football Association (Carlton) | Waratah (NSWRU) | Victoria (AR) | 1874 | 1877 |
| George Henry Pritchard | Australia | Queensland Football Association (Brisbane) | Queensland Football Association (Brisbane) | Queensland (AR), Queensland (RU) | 1876 | 1877 |
| Alec Boswell Timms | Australia Scotland | Victorian Football Association (Geelong) | Edinburgh University | Scotland (RU) British Isles (RU) | 1892 | 1896 |
| Ray Millington | Australia | Victorian Football League (Fitzroy) | Shute Shield (Randwick DRUFC) | | 1952 | 1954 |
| Nick Evans | New Zealand | New Zealand (Under 21) | Super 12 (Highlanders) | New Zealand (AR) New Zealand (RU) | 2001 | 2004 |
| Rambo Tavana | Samoa | AFL International Cup (Samoa Bulldogs) | Top 14 (SU Agen) | Samoa (AR) Samoa (RU) | 2002 | 2006 |
| Mikaele Pesamino | Samoa | AFL International Cup (Samoa Bulldogs) | National Provincial Championship (Auckland) | Samoa (AR) Samoa (RU/7s) | 2002 | 2007 |
| Israel Folau | Australia | Australian Football League (Greater Western Sydney) | Super Rugby (New South Wales) | Australia (RU) | 2011 | 2013 |
| Stanis Susuve | Papua New Guinea | Victorian Football League (Gold Coast) | World Rugby Sevens Series (Papua New Guinea (Pukpuks)) | Papua New Guinea (AR) Papua New Guinea (RU/7s) | 2009 | 2014 |
| Karmichael Hunt | Australia | Australian Football League (Gold Coast) | Super Rugby (Queensland) | Australia (RU) | 2011 | 2015 |
| Sam Dickson | New Zealand | New Zealand | New Zealand (7s) 2016 Summer Olympics | New Zealand (AR) New Zealand (7s) | 2011 | 2016 |
| Yoshi Harris | Nauru | Australian Football League (GWS) | Nauru (7s) | Nauru (AR), Nauru (7s) | 2012 | 2019 |
| William Warbrick | New Zealand | New Zealand | New Zealand (7s) (Olympics) | New Zealand (AR) New Zealand (7s) | 2012 | 2019 |
| Kurt Heatherley | New Zealand | Australian Football League (Hawthorn) | National Provincial Championship(Auckland)/RFU Championship Jersey Reds) | New Zealand (AR) | 2014 | 2019 |
| Maddison Levi | Australia | AFLW (Gold Coast) | Australia (7s) (Olympics) Women's Uni 7s Series (Bond University) | Australia (7s) | 2021 | 2021 |

## From Canadian football
### Canadian football to American football

As discussed above, Canadian and American football are highly similar gridiron codes. Dozens if not hundreds of players and coaches move back and forth between Canadian and American codes every season and occasionally even within a season, making assembling a list of these players an impossible and largely immaterial task.

## From Gaelic football

Gaelic football is especially vulnerable to code-switching, for reasons outlined by rugby union journalist Hugh Farrelly in 2009:
   The parochialism that is the GAA's greatest strength (every village in Ireland has a local team) is also its Achilles heel for, with no viable international outlet, the Association is vulnerable to other sports. Furthermore, a strict adherence to its amateur code means talented youngsters can be lured away from the game they grew up with... by the prospect of pay for play....

### Gaelic football to association football

| Name | Country | Top Gaelic football level | Top association football level | Top representation level |
| Jack Kirwan | Ireland | All-Ireland Championship winner with Dublin | FA Cup winner with Tottenham Hotspur F.C. | Ireland |
| Val Harris | Ireland | All-Ireland Championship winner with Dublin | League of Ireland winner and Irish Cup winner with Shelbourne F.C.; Football League First Division with Everton F.C. | Ireland, Irish Free State |
| Con Martin | Ireland | Leinster Championship winner with Dublin | Football League First Division with Leeds United A.F.C. and Aston Villa F.C. | Ireland (FAI), Ireland (IFA) |
| Martin O'Neill | Northern Ireland | Derry minor team | Football League First Division winner and European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest. Former manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team | Northern Ireland |
| Kevin Moran | Ireland | All-Ireland Championship winner with Dublin | Football League First Division with Manchester United F.C. | Republic of Ireland |
| Niall Quinn | Ireland | Dublin minor team | Premiership with Arsenal F.C., Manchester City F.C. and Sunderland A.F.C. | Republic of Ireland |
| Neil Lennon | Northern Ireland | Armagh minor team | Scottish Premier League winner with Celtic F.C. | Northern Ireland |
| Kevin Doyle | Ireland | Wexford minor team | Premiership with Reading F.C. and Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. | Republic of Ireland |
| Shane Long | Ireland | Tipperary minor team | Premiership with Reading F.C., West Bromwich Albion F.C, Hull City A.F.C. and Southampton F.C. | Republic of Ireland |
| Cillian Sheridan | Ireland | Cavan minor team | UEFA Champions League with APOEL F.C. | Republic of Ireland |
| Niall McGinn | Northern Ireland | Tyrone U-21s | Scored for Northern Ireland at UEFA Euro 2016 | Northern Ireland |
| Michael O'Neill | Northern Ireland | Antrim minor team | Current manager of the Northern Ireland national football team | Northern Ireland |

### Ladies' Gaelic football to association football

Several ladies Gaelic footballers, including All-Ireland finalists, Niamh Fahey and Sarah Rowe, have gone on to represent the Republic of Ireland women's national association football team.
| Player | Gaelic football | Association football |
| Amber Barrett | Donegal | Republic of Ireland |
| Megan Connolly | Cork | Republic of Ireland |
| Marie Curtin | Limerick | Republic of Ireland |
| Niamh Fahey | Galway | Republic of Ireland |
| Dora Gorman | Galway | Republic of Ireland |
| Ciara Grant | Donegal | Republic of Ireland |
| Una Harkin | Derry | Northern Ireland |
| Siobhán Killeen | Dublin | Republic of Ireland |
| Kirsty McGuinness | Antrim | Northern Ireland |
| Valerie Mulcahy | Cork | Republic of Ireland |
| Sarah Rowe | Mayo | Republic of Ireland |
| Julie-Ann Russell | Galway | Republic of Ireland |
| Nora Stapleton | Donegal | UCD |
| Cora Staunton | Mayo | Mayo Ladies League |
| Hannah Tyrrell | Dublin | St Catherine's/Shamrock Rovers |

#### Notes

* ^1 Megan Connolly represented Cork at under-16 level.
* ^2 Valerie Mulcahy represented Ireland at the 2003 Summer Universiade.

### Gaelic football to Australian rules football

These two codes share many similarities, making switching between them relatively easy. International rules representation for players of both codes is common. The Gaelic Athletic Association prohibits professionalism, meaning that there is a financial lure for players to compete in the professional elite Aussie Rules competitions in Australia.
| Name | Country | Top Gaelic level | Top Australian rules level | Top representation level | Gaelic football debut | Australian rules debut |
| Sean Wight | Ireland | Kerry minor (Under-18) | AFL | NA | 1982 | 1985 |
| Paul Earley | Ireland | Gaelic Athletic Association | AFL | NA | 1982 | 1984 |
| Dermot McNicholl | Ireland | Derry All-Ireland winner 1993 | AFL | NA | 1980 | 1990 |
| Brian Stynes | Ireland | Dublin All-Ireland winner 1995 | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) Ireland (AR) | 198? | 1992 |
| Jim Stynes | Ireland | Dublin All-Ireland (Minor) winner 1994 | AFL (Brownlow Medallist) | Ireland (Inter-rules) | 1984 | 1987 |
| Tadhg Kennelly | Ireland | Kerry All-Ireland winner 2009 | AFL premiership 2005 | Ireland (Inter-rules) | | 2001 |
| Colm Begley | Ireland | Laois GAA | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) | | 2006 |
| Martin Clarke | Ireland | Down All-Ireland (Minor) winner 2005 | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) | | 2005 |
| Pearce Hanley | Ireland | Mayo GAA | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) | | 2008 |
| Michael Quinn | Ireland | Gaelic Athletic Association | AFL | N/A | | 2009 |
| Kevin Dyas | Ireland | Armagh GAA | AFL | N/A | | 2009 |
| Jamie O'Reilly | Ireland | Down GAA | AFL | N/A | | 2010 |
| Zach Tuohy | Ireland | Laois GAA | AFL premiership 2022 | Ireland (Inter-rules) | | 2011 |
| Caolan Mooney | Ireland | Down GAA | AFL | N/A | | 2012 |
| Tommy Walsh | Ireland | Kerry All-Ireland winner 2007 & 2009 | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) | | 2012 |
| Ciarán Byrne | Ireland | Louth GAA | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) | | 2014 |
| Patrick Brophy | Ireland | Kildare GAA | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) | | 2015 |
| Conor McKenna | Ireland | Tyrone GAA | AFL | Ireland (Inter-rules) | | 2015 |
| Mark O'Connor | Ireland | Kerry All-Ireland minor winner 2015 & 2016 | AFL | N/A | | 2017 |

### Ladies' Gaelic football to Australian rules football

* Currently on an AFL senior list
Ladies' Gaelic football players in the AFLW :
| Player | Gaelic football | AFLW team | AFLW debut | Notes |
| Yvonne Bonner | Donegal | Greater Western Sydney | 2019 | |
| Ailish Considine | Clare | Adelaide | 2019 | |
| Joanne Doonan | Fermanagh | Carlton | 2020 | |
| Laura Duryea | Cavan | Melbourne | 2017 | First Irish player to play in AFLW. First AFLW player to represent Ireland in Australian rules. |
| Clara Fitzpatrick | Down | St Kilda | 2020 | |
| Kate Flood | Louth | Fremantle | 2019 | |
| Aileen Gilroy | Mayo | North Melbourne | 2020 | |
| Sinéad Goldrick | Dublin | Melbourne | 2020 | |
| Katy Herron | Donegal | Western Bulldogs | 2020 | |
| Grace Kelly | Mayo | West Coast | 2020 | |
| Niamh Kelly | Mayo | West Coast | 2020 | |
| Aisling McCarthy | Tipperary | Western Bulldogs | 2019 | |
| Niamh McEvoy | Dublin | Melbourne | 2020 | |
| Orla O'Dwyer | Tipperary | Brisbane | 2020 | |
| Sarah Rowe | Mayo | Collingwood | 2019 | |
| Aishling Sheridan | Mayo | Collingwood | 2019 | |
| Mairéad Seoighe | Galway | North Melbourne | | |
| Bríd Stack | Cork | Greater Western Sydney | 2021 | |
| Cora Staunton | Mayo | Greater Western Sydney | 2018 | First Irish player actively recruited to AFLW |
| Áine Tighe | Leitrim | Fremantle | | |
| Bree White | London | Collingwood | 2017 | |

### Gaelic football to rugby league

| Name | Country | Top Gaelic football level | Top rugby league level | Top representation level | Gaelic football debut | Rugby league debut |
| Brian Carney | Ireland | Gaelic Athletic Association (Valleymount) | Super League (Gateshead/Hull/Wigan) | Ireland (RL) Great Britain (RL) | 1998 | 1999 |

### Gaelic football to rugby union

Up until the mid-1990s, both codes were officially amateur. However, the professionalisation of rugby union has provided a financial lure.
| Name | Country | Top Gaelic football level | Top rugby union level | Top representation level | Playing era |
| Dick Spring | Ireland | Kerry senior team | Munster, London Irish | Ireland | 1960s, 1970s |
| Moss Keane | Ireland | UCC GAA, Kerry under-21 team | Munster | Ireland, British and Irish Lions | 1970s, 1980s |
| David Beggy | Ireland | Meath senior team | Leinster | N/A | 1980s, 1990s |
| Brian Rigney | Ireland | Local Team, Laois | Leinster | Ireland | 1980s, 1990s |
| Mick Galwey | Ireland | Kerry senior team | Munster | Ireland | 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, |
| Brian Carney | Ireland | Valleymount junior team | Munster | Ireland | 1990s, 2000s |
| Shane Byrne | Ireland | Aughrim minor team | Leinster, Saracens | Ireland, British and Irish Lions | 1990s, 2000s |
| Geordan Murphy | Ireland | Kildare minor team | Leicester Tigers | Ireland, British and Irish Lions | 1990s, 2000s, 2010s |
| Shane Horgan | Ireland | Meath minor team | Leinster | Ireland, British and Irish Lions | 1990s, 2000s, 2010s |
| Gavin Duffy | Ireland | Mayo minor team | Connacht, NEC Harlequins | Ireland | 1990s, 2000s, 2010s |
| Tomás O'Leary | Ireland | Cork minor team | Munster, London Irish | Ireland | 2000s, 2010s |
| Tommy Bowe | Ireland | Monaghan minor team | Ulster, Ospreys | Ireland, British and Irish Lions | 2000s, 2010s |
| Rob Kearney | Ireland | Louth minor team | Leinster | Ireland, British and Irish Lions | 2000s, 2010s |
| Robbie Henshaw | Ireland | Westmeath minor team | Connacht, Leinster | Ireland, British and Irish Lions | 2010s |
| Tiernan O'Halloran | Ireland | Galway minor team | Connacht | Ireland | 2010s |
NB: Byrne and Duffy both changed codes twice. Each first switched to rugby union as a teenager, then returned to Gaelic football after a long professional rugby career. This entry discusses their Gaelic football careers before their first code switch.

### Ladies' Gaelic football to rugby union

Lindsay Peat played for Dublin in the 2009, 2010 and 2014 All-Ireland finals before playing for Ireland in the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup. The Ireland squad featured at least six other former ladies' inter-county footballers – Niamh Briggs, Claire Molloy, Cliodhna Moloney, Katie Fitzhenry, Nora Stapleton and Hannah Tyrrell.
| Player | Gaelic football | Rugby union |
| Niamh Briggs | Waterford | Ireland |
| Katie Fitzhenry | Wexford | Ireland |
| Claire Molloy | Galway | Ireland |
| Cliodhna Moloney | Galway | Ireland |
| Lindsay Peat | Dublin | Ireland |
| Nora Stapleton | Donegal | Ireland |
| Hannah Tyrrell | Dublin | Ireland |
Source:

## From rugby league
### Rugby league to American football

On 3 March 2015 Jarryd Hayne became the first rugby league player (that hadn't already played in the NFL) to sign a contract with a National Football League team.
| Name | Country | Top rugby league level | Top American football level | Top representation level | Rugby league debut | American football debut |
| Manfred Moore | USA | New South Wales Rugby League (Newtown) | National Football League (Minnesota) | N/A | 1977 | 1978 |
| Jarryd Hayne | Australia | National Rugby League (Parramatta) | National Football League (San Francisco) | Australia (RL) Fiji (RL) | 2006 | 2015 |
| Jordan Mailata | Australia | National Youth Competition (South Sydney) | National Football League (Philadelphia) | N/A | 2017 | 2018 |
| Valentine Holmes | Australia | National Rugby League (Cronulla) | National Football League (New York) | Australia (RL) | 2014 | 2019 |

### Rugby league to association football

| Name | Country | Top rugby league level | Top association football level | Top representation level | Playing era |
| Albert Brough | England | Barrow | Barrow A.F.C. | | 1920s |

### Rugby league to Australian rules football

In addition to the senior players listed below numerous schoolboy rugby league players have made a transition to success at senior Australian rules, including Wayne Carey, Paul Kelly, Kieren Jack, Andrew McLeod, Jared Brennan, Matthew Whelan, and Sam Gilbert.
| Name | Country | Top rugby league level | Top Australian rules level | Top representation level | Rugby league debut | Australian rules debut |
| Ray Smith | Australia | Brisbane Rugby League (Fortitude Valley) | Victorian Football League (Essendon/Melbourne) | Queensland (RL) Queensland (AR) | 1970 | 1971 |
| Joe Buboi | Papua New Guinea | Kumuls (captain) | Papua New Guinea | Papua New Guinea national rugby league team (RL) (captain) Papua New Guinea (AR) (captain) | 1970 | 1973 |
| Michael McLean | Australia | Northern Territory Rugby League (Nightcliff Dragons) | Australian Football League (Footscray/Brisbane) | Aboriginal All-Stars (AR) | 1980 | 1983 |
| Fabian Francis | Australia | Northern Territory Rugby League (Litchfield) | Australian Football League (Melbourne/Brisbane/Port Adelaide) | Northern Territory (RL) Aboriginal All-Stars (AR) | 1992 | 1993 |
| Andriu Sucu | New Zealand | Auckland Rugby League (Northcote) | New Zealand | New Zealand (AR) | 2000 | 2005 |
| Israel Folau | Australia | National Rugby League (Melbourne/Brisbane) | Australian Football League (Greater Western Sydney) | Australia (RL) | 2007 | 2010 |
| Ben Barba | Australia | National Rugby League (Canterbury/Brisbane/Cronulla) | AFL Mackay (Eastern Mackay) / North Queensland | Australia (RL) | 2008 | 2020 |
| Tom Robertson | Australia | Jersey Flegg Cup (Canberra Raiders) | AFL Canberra (Eastlake) | | 2020 | 2021 |

### Rugby league to rugby union

While the traffic used to be almost entirely from rugby union to rugby league, the tide has now turned the other way, and numerous rugby league players have gone over to union, since the game was professionalised.
| Name | Country | Top rugby league level | Top rugby union level | Top representation level | Rugby league debut | Rugby union debut |
| Ben Barba | Australia | National Rugby League | Top 14 | Australia (RL) | 2008 | 2017 |
| Josh Charnley | England | Super League | Premiership Rugby | England (RL) | 2010 | 2016 |
| Sam Burgess | England | National Rugby League, Super League | Premiership Rugby | England (RL), Great Brittan (RL), NRL All-Stars (RL), England (RU) | 2006 | 2014 |
| Reece Robinson | Lebanon, Australia | National Rugby League | Super Rugby | Lebanon (RL), Indigenous All-Stars (RL) | 2008 | 2016 |
| Matt Duffie | New Zealand | National Rugby League | Super Rugby | New Zealand (RL), New Zealand (RU) | 2010 | 2016 |
| Karmichael Hunt | New Zealand, Australia | National Rugby League | Top 14, Super Rugby | Australia (RL), Australia (RU) | 2004 | 2009 |
| Chris Ashton | England | Super League | English Premiership | England (RL), England (RU) | 2005 | 2007 |
| Lee Smith | England | Super League | English Premiership | England (RL), Great Britain (RL) | 2005 | 2009 |
| Berrick Barnes | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RU) | 2005 | 2006 |
| Nathan Blacklock | Australia | NRL/Super League | Super 12 | Australia (RL) | 1995 | 2003 |
| Willie Carne | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RL) | 1990 | 1997 |
| Brian Carney | Ireland | Super League/NRL | Celtic League | Great Britain (RL), Ireland (RU) | 1999 | 2007 |
| Ryan Cross | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RU) | 1998 | 2007 |
| Andy Farrell | England | Super League | English Premiership | Great Britain (RL), England (RU) | 1991 | 2005 |
| Paul Franze | Australia | NRL | English Premiership | Australia (RL) | 2002 | 2006 |
| Iestyn Harris | Wales | Super League | Heineken Cup, Celtic League | Great Britain (RL), Wales (RU) | 1993 | 2001 |
| Sam Harris | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australian Schoolboys (RU), City v. Country (RL) | 2003 | 2007 |
| Wise Kativerata | Australia | NRL | Shute Shield | Australia Sevens (RU) | 2001 | 2004 |
| Ben MacDougall | Australia | NRL | Celtic League | Scotland (RU) | 1998 | 2006 |
| Stephen Myler | England | Super League | English Premiership | England Saxons (RU) | 2001 | 2006 |
| Henry Paul | New Zealand | NRL | English Premiership | New Zealand (RL), England (RU) | 1993 | 2001 |
| Jason Robinson | England | Super League | English Premiership | Great Britain (RL), England (RU), British & Irish Lions (RU) | 1991 | 1996 |
| Mat Rogers | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RL/RU) | 1995 | 2002 |
| Wendell Sailor | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RL/RU) | 1993 | 2002 |
| Clinton Schifcofske | Australia | NRL/Super League | Super Rugby | State of Origin (RL), Australia A (RU) | 1996 | 2006 |
| Timana Tahu | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RL/RU) | 1999 | 2008 |
| Alan Tait | Scotland | Super League | Celtic League | Scotland (RL/RU), Great Britain (RL), British & Irish Lions (RU) | 1988 | 1996 |
| Brad Thorn | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RL), New Zealand (RU) | 1994 | 2001 |
| Lote Tuqiri | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RL/RU), Fiji (RL) | 1999 | 2003 |
| Lesley Vainikolo | England | NRL, Super League | English Premiership | New Zealand (RL), England (RU) | 2002 | 2007 |
| Andrew Walker | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia (RL/RU) | 1991 | 2000 |
| Chev Walker | England | Super League | English Premiership | Great Britain (RL), England Saxons (RU) | 1999 | 2007 |
| Barrie-Jon Mather | England | RFL Championship/Super League | England RU | Great Britain (RL), England (RL), England (RU) | 1992 | 1998 |
| Sonny Bill Williams | New Zealand | NRL | Top 14, Super Rugby | New Zealand (RL), New Zealand (RU) | 2004 | 2008 |
| Craig Wing | Australia | NRL | Top League | Australian Kangaroos (RL), Japan (RU) | 2002 | 2010 |
| Craig Gower | Australia | NRL | Top 14 | Australian Kangaroos (RL), Italy (RU) | 1996 | 2008 |
| Mark Gasnier | Australia | NRL | Top 14 | Australian Kangaroos (RL) | 2000 | 2008 |
| Shontayne Hape | New Zealand | NRL, Super League | English Premiership | New Zealand Kiwis (RL), England (RU) | 2003 | 2008 |
| Fabrice Estebanez | France | Super League | Top 14 | France (RL), France (RU) | 2005 | 2010 |
| Tasesa Lavea | New Zealand | NRL | Super rugby, Top 14 | New Zealand Kiwis (RL), Samoa (RU) | 2000 | 2010 |
| Cooper Vuna | New Zealand | NRL | Super rugby | Tonga (RL), Australia (RU), Tonga (RU) | 2008 | 2012 |
| Setaimata Sa | New Zealand, Samoa | NRL, Super League | English Premiership | New Zealand Kiwis (RL), Samoa (RL), Samoa (RU) | 2008 | 2012 |
| Peter Ryan | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Queensland (RL) | 1989 | 2000 |
| Jarrod Saffy | Australia | NRL | Super Rugby | Australia Sevens (RU) | 2006 | 2011 |

## From rugby union
### Rugby union to American football

Rugby union and American football share the same origins, but have evolved into very different games. Both are very physical and require similar body types with high speed and strength.
| Name | Country | Top rugby union level | Top American football level | Top representation level | Playing era |
| Colin Scotts | Australia | Australian schoolboys | NFL, St. Louis Cardinals | Australia | 1980s |
| Steve Tasker | United States | Northwestern University | NFL, Buffalo Bills | Pro Bowl | 1985–1997 |
| Gavin Hastings | Scotland | International | WLAF | Scotland/British Lions | 1990s |
| Gary Parker | Scotland | Club (Melrose RFC) | WLAF | N/A | 1980s/90s |
| Gary Anderson | South Africa | Brettonwood High School, Durban, South Africa | NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans | N/A | 1982–2004 |
| Richard Tardits | France, later USA | Biarritz Olympique, USA | NFL, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots | USA Rugby | 1980s/90s |
| David Dixon | New Zealand | New Zealand under-19 | NFL, Minnesota Vikings | New Zealand | 1994–2004 |
| Haloti Ngata | United States | Highland High School, Salt Lake City, Utah | NFL, Baltimore Ravens | N/A | 2006–2018 |
| Stewart Bradley | United States | Highland High School, Salt Lake City, Utah | NFL, Philadelphia Eagles | N/A | 2007–2013 |
| Hayden Smith | Australia | Premiership Rugby | NFL, New York Jets | USA Rugby | 2012–2013 |
| Nate Ebner | USA | Olympics (USA) | National Football League (New England) | USA (7s) | 2012– |
| Daniel Adongo | Kenya | Super Rugby | NFL, Indianapolis Colts | | 2011–2015 |
| Alex Gray | England | Premiership Rugby | NFL, Atlanta Falcons | | 2017–2020 |
| Christian Scotland-Williamson | England | Premiership Rugby | NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers | | 2018–2020 |
| Christian Wade | England | Premiership Rugby | NFL, Buffalo Bills | | 2019– |
| Leki Fotu | Tonga & United States | High school Rugby Herriman High School | NFL, Arizona Cardinals | | 2020– |
| Louis Rees-Zammit | Wales | Premiership Rugby, 6 Nations rugby, Rugby World Cup | NFL, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars | Wales, British and Irish Lions (2021) | 2018- |

### Rugby union to association football

| Name | Country | Top rugby union level | Top association football level | Top representation level | Playing era |
| J.W. Sutcliffe | England | Bradford F.C./Heckmondwike | Bolton Wanderers/Manchester United | England (both) | 1880s/1910s |
| Adam Holloway | England | Henley Hawks/ Crusaders | Strathcona Terriers FC | England/New Zealand/Canada | 2000s |
| Tony Ward | Ireland | Munster/Ireland/British and Irish Lions | Shamrock Rovers/Limerick United | British and Irish Lions | 1970s and 1980s |
| Tommy Moroney | Ireland | Munster | West Ham United | Republic of Ireland | 1940s |
| Aaron Ramsey | Wales | Caerphilly RFC (youth team) | Cardiff City/Arsenal/Juventus | Wales | 2000s - 2020s |
| Henry Renny-Tailyour | Scotland | Scotland | Royal Engineers A.F.C. | Scotland | 1870s, 1880s |
| Martín Terán | Argentina | Tucumán Rugby Club, Nacional de Clubes | Atlético Tucumán | Argentina | 1996–1997 |
| Ted Bateson | England | Yorkshire, Skipton RFC | Blackburn Rovers | Yorkshire (RU) | 1920s |

### Rugby union to Australian rules football

In recent years, several schoolboy rugby union players have made a transition to Australian Rules, including Ray Smith (Queensland Under 19), Jim Stynes, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Aaron Edwards, Adam Campbell (New Zealand Under 15), Daniel Merrett, Brad Moran (West Midlands (England) Under 16) and Tom Williams (Queensland Under 16). In 2012, Canadian Mike Pyke became the first former professional rugby player to win an AFL premiership.
| Name | Country | Top rugby union level | Top Australian rules level | Top representation level | Rugby union debut | Australian rules debut |
| Andrew Stoddart | England | British & Irish Lions | Great Britain | British & Irish Lions (RU) Great Britain (AR) | 1886 | 1888 |
| George A. Gillett | New Zealand | New Zealand | New Zealand, Western Australia | New Zealand (RU) New Zealand (AR) | 1899 | 1908 |
| Mike Pyke | Canada | Top 14 (France) (US Montauban) | Australian Football League (Sydney) premiership | Canada (RU) | 2002 | 2009 |
| Karmichael Hunt | Australia | Top 14 (France) (Biarritz) | Australian Football League (Gold Coast) | French Barbarians (RU) | 2009 | 2011 |
| Chloe Dalton | Australia | Olympics (Australia) | AFL Women's (Carlton) | Australia (RU7s) | 2014 | 2019 |
| Conor Nash | Ireland | Leinster Rugby (Ireland) | Australian Football League (Hawthorn) | Ireland U18 (RU) | 2016 | 2017 |
| Kendra Heil | Canada | Guelph Gryphons | AFL Women's (Collingwood Football Club) | Canada (AR) | 2007 | 2016 |
| Brooke Walker | Australia | World Sevens Series (Australia) | AFL Women's (Carlton) | Australia (RU7s) | 2015 | 2019 |
| Mhicca Carter | Australia | Super W (Force) | AFL Women's (West Coast) | Australia A (RU) | 2018 | 2019 |
| Courtney Hodder | Australia | Super W (Force/Reds) | AFL Women's (Brisbane) premiership | Australia A (RU) | 2018 | 2021 |

### Rugby union to Gaelic football

| Name | Country | Top rugby union level | Top Gaelic football level | Top representation level | Playing era |
| Jarlath Fallon | Ireland | Galwegians, Connacht | Tuam Stars senior team, Galway senior team | Galway senior team | 1990s, 2000s |
| Shane Byrne | Ireland | Leinster, Ireland, British and Irish Lions | Aughrim senior team | | 1990s, 2000s |
| Eric Miller | Ireland | Leicester Tigers, Leinster, Barbarians, Ireland, British and Irish Lions | Ballyboden St. Enda's GAA, Dublin senior team | Barbarians, Ireland, British and Irish Lions | 1990s, 2000s |
| Gavin Duffy | Ireland | Connacht, Harlequins, Ireland | Salthill-Knocknacarra senior team, Mayo senior team | Ireland | 2000s, 2010s |

### Rugby union to rugby league

Two of the closest codes, they share many similar skills. Until 1995 union was officially amateur and union players were offered money to switch codes. That trend has since reversed, as rugby union is now richer than rugby league. Conversion from one code to the other is more difficult for forwards than backs, where the skills are most similar. Several players, including Iestyn Harris and Mat Rogers, have converted between the two codes on more than one occasion.
| Name | Country | Top rugby union level | Top rugby league level | Top representation level | Playing era |
| Frano Botica | New Zealand | All Blacks | NZ Kiwis, NRL | New Zealand (RU/RL) Croatia (RU) | 1980/90s |
| Charlotte Caslick | Australia | Wallaroos | NRL Women's Premiership | Australia (RU/RL) | 2010/20s |
| Ellia Green | Australia | Wallaroos | NRL Women's Premiership | Australia (RU/RL) | 2010/20s |
| Michael Cleary | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RU/RL) | 1960s |
| Ryan Cross | Australia | Wallabies | NRL | Australian Schoolboys (RU) | 2000s |
| Arthur Daniels | Wales | Club (Llanelli) | Rugby Football League Championship | Wales/Great Britain (RL) | 1940s/50s |
| Jonathan Davies | Wales | Welsh Premier Division | Super League | Wales/Great Britain (RL) Wales (RU) | 1980s/90s |
| Marc Ellis | New Zealand | All Blacks | NRL | New Zealand (RU/RL) | 1990s |
| Rocky Elsom | Australia | Wallabies | Junior | Australia (RU) | 2000s |
| George Fairbairn | Scotland | SRU national league/Kelso RFC | Rugby Football League Championship | Great Britain | 1970/80s |
| Russell Fairfax | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RU) | 1970s |
| Ray French | England | England | Rugby Football League Championship | Great Britain | |
| John Gallagher | New Zealand | All Blacks | Super League | New Zealand (RU) | 1980s |
| Scott Gibbs | Wales | Welsh Premier Division | Super League | Wales/Great Britain (RL/RU) | 1990s |
| Scott Gourley | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RU/RL) | 1980s |
| Daryl Halligan | New Zealand | NPC | NZ Kiwis | New Zealand (RL) | 1990s |
| Sam Harris | Australia | Super Rugby | NRL | Australian Schoolboys (RU) City v. Country (RL) | 2000s |
| Jarryd Hayne | Australia | World Rugby Sevens Series | NRL (Gold Coast) | Fiji (RU 7s) Australia (RL) | 2006- |
| Nigel Heslop | England | International | Rugby Football League Championship | England | 1990s |
| Craig Innes | New Zealand | All Blacks | NRL | New Zealand (RU/RL) | 1990s |
| Ben Kennedy | Australia | Australian U-21 | NRL | Australia (RL) | 1990s/2000s |
| Wally Lewis | Australia | Australian Schoolboys | NRL | Australia (RL) | 1977/1992 |
| Cooper Cronk | Australia | Australian Schoolboys | NRL | Australia (RL) | 2000s |
| John Kirwan | New Zealand | All Blacks | NRL | New Zealand (RU) | 1980/90s |
| Tony Melrose | Australia | Australian Schoolboys | NSWRL | Australia (RU) | 1980s |
| Dally Messenger | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RL) | 1900s |
| Garrick Morgan | Australia | Wallabies | NRL | Australia (RU) | 1990s |
| Rex Mossop | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RU/RL) | 1950s |
| Noa Nadruku | Fiji | Fiji international | National Rugby League | Fiji (RU/RL) | 1990s |
| Michael O'Connor | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RU/RL) | 1980/90s |
| Brett Papworth | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RU) | 1980s |
| Ray Price | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RU/RL) | 1980s |
| Scott Quinnell | Wales | Wales | Super League | Wales (RU/RL) | 1990s/2000s |
| Matthew Ridge | New Zealand | All Blacks | NRL | New Zealand (RU/RL) | 1980s/90s |
| Kevin Ryan | Australia | Wallabies | NSWRL | Australia (RU/RL) | 1950s/1960s |
| Wendell Sailor | Australia | Wallabies | Kangaroos | Australia (RU/RL) | 1990s/2000s |
| Brian Smith | Australia, Ireland | Wallabies, Ireland | NSWRL | Australia (RU), Ireland (RU) | 1980s/1990s |
| Ricky Stuart | Australia | Australian U-21 | NRL | Australia (RU & RL) | 1980s/1990s |
| George Smith | New Zealand | All Blacks | All Golds | New Zealand (RU/RL) | 1900s |
| Alan Tait | Scotland | Scotland /1997 Lions Tour | Rugby Football League Championship | Great Britain | 1980/90s |
| Brad Thorn | New Zealand | All Blacks | Kangaroos | Australia (RL) New Zealand (RU) | 1994–present |
| John Timu | New Zealand | All Blacks | NZ Kiwis | New Zealand (RU/RL) | 1990s |
| Va'aiga "Inga" Tuigamala | New Zealand | All Blacks | Super League | New Zealand (RU) Western Samoa (RL) | 1990s |
| Lesley Vainikolo | Tonga | England | Super League | England (RU) New Zealand (RL) | 2000s |
| Dave Valentine | Scotland | Scotland | Super League | Scotland (RU), Great Britain, Empire XIII (RL) | 1940s, 1950s |
| Rob Valentine | Scotland | Scotland | Super League | Scotland (RU) Great Britain, Other Nationalities (RL) | 1960s, 1970s |
| Sonny Bill Williams | New Zealand | All Blacks | NZ Kiwis, NRL | New Zealand (RL/RU) | 2004–present |
| Roy Kinnear | Scotland | Scotland, British and Irish Lions | Great Britain | Scotland, B&I Lions (RU) Great Britain, Other Nationalities (RL) | 1920s, 1930s |
| Gareth Thomas | Wales | Wales, British and Irish Lions | Wales, Super League | Wales (RU/RL) | 1994–2011 |
| Tiaan Strauss | South Africa | South Africa, Australia | NRL with Cronulla Sharks | South Africa and Australia (RU) | 1986–1999 |
| Tom van Vollenhoven | South Africa | South Africa | Northern Rugby Football League with St. Helens | South Africa (RU) | 1950s–1960s |
| Rob Louw | South Africa | South Africa | RFL with Wigan | South Africa (RU) | 1978–1997 |
| Ray Mordt | South Africa | South Africa | Rugby Football League Championship with Wigan | South Africa (RU) | 1980–1987 |
| Wilf Rosenberg | South Africa | South Africa | Rugby Football League Championship with Leeds and Hull F.C. | South Africa (RU) | 1955–1963 |
| David Watkins | Wales | Wales, British and Irish Lions | Rugby Football League Championship with Salford and Swinton | Wales/Great Britain (RL) Wales (RU)British and Irish Lions | 1961–1980 |