“Yes, 100 per cent” - England number 8 reveals he will swap nations ahead of Rugby World Cup

Rugby News

by Rugby Rucker

Tuesday, 11 April 2023 at 15:45

byRugby Rucker

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Former England number 8 Nathan Hughes has declared himself available for Fiji for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

When asked if he'd be open to swapping nations, he told Rugby Pass: “Yes, 100 per cent,”

He added: “I’m just focusing purely on Black Rams and just playing as well as I can and letting the selectors do their job.

“The coaches and their staff are all in Europe at the moment and I’m not sure when they will be coming to Japan. We’ll wait until the day comes.

"If he picks me, we will make the decision then, but we have got two more games to go (at Black Rams) and we are trying to finish as high as we can up the table and go from there.”

“Could still swap nations” – Four more England stars who could play against Steve Borthwick’s side at the World Cup

The latest eligibility laws by World Rugby have created a possibility for several renowned England players to represent a different country from their initial capped one, both in the present and upcoming years.

These new regulations state that players can meet the transfer qualification criteria by abstaining from Test rugby for three years and being either born in the country they want to represent or have a parent or grandparent who was born there.

This change could result in several English players changing their national allegiances in time for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Although some players are more likely to do so than others, here we discuss five players who could potentially switch.

#1. ALEX LOZOWSKI - TO ITALY

Number of caps: 5

Lozowski, who has an Italian grandmother, could take advantage of the new World Rugby rules surrounding eligibility.

The Saracens star, who won the last of his six England caps in 2018, could swap with immediate effect following the rule change and has been approached by Italy boss Kieran Crowley.

He's also been in contact with Italian qualified speedsters Louis Lynagh and Paulo Odogowu, who are both currently uncapped.

“I have been in contact. I haven’t personally been in contact with Paolo but he has been contacted,” Crowley said at the Six Nations launch.

“The other two [Lozowski and Lynagh] I have spoken to personally. They have made decisions at the moment that I respect. I support them. I’ll keep in contact with them. But certainly if they were available, we’d certainly be looking at them. They are all quality players.

“We will keep the lines of communication open. Not only with those three but there are a number of others as well.”

Pablo Matera of Argentina on the break slipping the tackle from Sam Underhill of England Rugby and then tackled by Alex Lozowski of England Rugby during the International Old Mutual Wealth Series match between England v Argentina on 11th November 2017 at Twickenham Stadium, London, England (Photo:Phil Mingo/PPAUK),

#2. WILLI HEINZ - TO NEW ZEALAND

Number of caps: 13

The scrum-half, who represented England at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, returned to his native New Zealand after departing Worcester Warriors.

Signing with the Crusaders for the 2023 Super Rugby season, he has every chance of impressing, and is eligible for a call-up in the summer having not played for England in March 2020.

Heinz played for and captained Canterbury in New Zealand’s ITM Cup and also played for Christchurch-based Crusaders in Super Rugby before he joined Gloucester ahead of the 2015/16.

Having qualified to play for England, Heinz won 13 caps between 2019 and 2020 and played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Willi Heinz of England takes part in a training session during England Rugby Media Access at Pennyhill Park Hotel on August 23, 2019, Bagshot, England. (Photo by Phil Mingo/PPAUK)

#3. ZACH MERCER - TO NEW ZEALAND

Number of caps: 2

Making waves in the Top 14 and Europe with Montpellier, Mercer pulling on the famous All Black jersey would be as shocking a switch of nationality that the game has ever seen.

Described as ‘fat and lazy’ by England boss Eddie Jones before his international debut, this would be the ultimate way to prove the Aussie wrong.

The only drawback to the switch is to become eligible for New Zealand he’d have to join one of their Super Rugby sides.

He will instead return to the Premiership with Gloucester in a bid to impress Steve Borthwick.

Zach Mercer of England goes over for a try during the Quilter Cup Match between England and Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on May 27. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK