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Sale Sharks wing Denny Solomona has confirmed his desire to represent England in rugby union, after qualifying on residency grounds.
The New Zealand-born flyer hit the headlines last year when he walked away from Castleford Tigers to switch codes, prompting the Super League club to take legal action.
Yet while his move was a controversial one, there can be no disputing Solomona’s subsequent impact in union – the 23-year-old scoring nine tries in his first eight Premiership appearances.
On Wednesday, Sale confirmed Solomona had received notification that he was now eligible for England.
.@DennySolomona has confirmed that he is eligible to play for @EnglandRugby #JoinTheHunt pic.twitter.com/LISekVSBIN
— Sale Sharks (@SaleSharksRugby) March 29, 2017
And the prospect of featuring for Eddie Jones’ side excites a player who was born and raised in New Zealand, and represented Samoa in rugby league.
“Yes, 100 per cent, if the opportunity presents itself, I’ll take it with both hands,” Solomona told The Times.
“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.
“Circumstances change and I’m enjoying playing here. I’ve been here three years and that’s the choice I want to make.”
Solomona scored a record 40 Super League tries for Castleford in 2016 and will hope to earn selection for England’s tour of Argentina in June, which coincides with the British and Irish Lions facing New Zealand.
It is even possible he could earn a shock call-up to Warren Gatland’s Lions squad.
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