Ruaridh McConnochie, a wing for Bath Rugby, expected teasing from his former England teammates after he made the Scotland squad for the 2023 Six Nations
Despite having played and scored for England in the 2019 World Cup, McConnochie has decided to take advantage of the recent change in rugby’s eligibility rules which allow players who have not been selected for their country in three years to switch to another nation for which they qualify.
Upon the Scotland squad announcement, Jonathan Joseph wrote jovially: “Absolute disgrace.”
England hooker Tom Dunn wrote: “Nothing that man won’t do for.”
Speaking to the Mail Online, he was asked if he expects to be wound up by England teammates, McConnochie said: “Yes, probably. I’d expect nothing less! It would be weird if I didn’t.
“I look back on England with an immense amount of pride. I’ll never not be proud of my career and my journey up to now.
“I’ve got a lot to thank Eddie (Jones) for. He didn’t need to put the trust in me. To be able to go to the World Cup was unbelievable and something I’d never dreamed of.
“My family are all Scots. They’ve all grown up supporting Scotland and we as kids grew up supporting Scotland as well.
“It’s not paying them back, but it’s giving them an opportunity to text me saying “Welcome home. We can’t wait to start wearing our blue shirt again rather than supporting England”.
“I’m 100 per cent committed.”
RANKED: Which Six Nations country has the most foreign-born players?
England (4/36) – Up by two
