NEW ZEALAND-BORN wing Denny Solomona has revealed he would like to play for England after switching codes to play rugby union for Sale.
Solomona, 23, has scored 11 tries in 11 games for Sale after joining in acrimonious circumstances from Super League club Castleford.
Having spent three years in England, he now qualifies to play for his new home country on residency grounds.
Asked if he would like to play for England, Solomona told Wednesday’s edition of The Times: “Yes, 100%. If the opportunity presents itself, I’ll take it with both hands.
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“At the moment I’m just focusing on the now and playing well for Sale. If it comes, it comes.
“I’ve bought a house here, I’m engaged to marry an English girl, I’m well and truly inside the English culture now. I’ve been here three years and that’s the choice I want to make.”
Solomona, who has represented Samoa in rugby league, did not comment on his controversial exit from Castleford, who are suing him, Sale and his agent over the move.
He retired from rugby league with two years remaining on his Castleford contract and returned to rugby union, the sport he had played growing up in Auckland.
“There’s always been an aspiration to come back and finish what I started in union. Now I’m doing it,” he said.
I sat down and spoke to (Sale director of rugby) Steve Diamond and my fiancee and we said (the criticism is) bound to happen. I just block (it).
“If it wasn’t for the Sale boys being so welcoming, it would have been a nightmare. Everyone’s got their frustrations. I’ve moved on, I’m sure they’ll move on too.”
Solomona could now be selected by head coach Eddie Jones for England’s tour of Argentina in June.
New Zealand-born winger keen to represent England after switching to rugby union
NEW ZEALAND-BORN wing Denny Solomona has revealed he would like to play for England after switching codes to play rugby union for Sale.
Solomona, 23, has scored 11 tries in 11 games for Sale after joining in acrimonious circumstances from Super League club Castleford.
Having spent three years in England, he now qualifies to play for his new home country on residency grounds.
Asked if he would like to play for England, Solomona told Wednesday’s edition of The Times: “Yes, 100%. If the opportunity presents itself, I’ll take it with both hands.
“At the moment I’m just focusing on the now and playing well for Sale. If it comes, it comes.
“I’ve bought a house here, I’m engaged to marry an English girl, I’m well and truly inside the English culture now. I’ve been here three years and that’s the choice I want to make.”
Solomona, who has represented Samoa in rugby league, did not comment on his controversial exit from Castleford, who are suing him, Sale and his agent over the move.
He retired from rugby league with two years remaining on his Castleford contract and returned to rugby union, the sport he had played growing up in Auckland.
“There’s always been an aspiration to come back and finish what I started in union. Now I’m doing it,” he said.
“If it wasn’t for the Sale boys being so welcoming, it would have been a nightmare. Everyone’s got their frustrations. I’ve moved on, I’m sure they’ll move on too.”
Solomona could now be selected by head coach Eddie Jones for England’s tour of Argentina in June.
© – AFP, 2017
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