First England player swaps nations after being named in USA squad
Rugby NewsSaturday, 12 March 2022 at 13:44
USA coach Rob Cain has named a squad of 22 players that will play a match against Wales in Llanelli today
Included in their XV are three uncapped players, among them Saracens winger Lotte Clapp. She has previously won 10 caps for England, and even faced the Eagles during the 2016 Super Series in Utah.
Clapp makes the change via the new Union Transfer regulation, and is joined by another Premier 15s addition in Sale Sharks flanker Georgie Perris-Redding.
She has captained Saracens to their two Tyrrells Premier 15s titles, scoring a try in the 24-20 final win over Harlequins Ladies in 2018.
The World Rugby Council have approved proposals which will enable rugby players to represent the country of their or their ancestors' birth after a three-year stand-down period from their last international cap.
Having been passed, it could change the face of Test rugby as we know it.
FIVE ENGLAND PLAYERS WHO CAN SWAP COUNTRIES:
#1. Alex Lozowski (England to Italy)
- Age: 28
- Position: Fly-half, Centre, Wing, Fullback
- Current number of caps: 5
- Last cap: November, 2018
- Did you know? Lozowski is the son of Rob Lozowski and was a sporting allrounder in his teenage years, playing not only rugby for the Wasps academy but also football for the Chelsea academy
He is reportedly still holding out hope of adding to his five England caps despite no recent soundings from coach Eddie Jones. The Mail Online have reported that Italy have not been in contact with 28-year-old, although we doubt it will be long until they do.
Akihito Yamada of Japan is tackled by Alex Lozowski of England during the Quilter International Match between England and Japan at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on 17th November 2018. [Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK]
#2. Denny Solomona (England to Fiji)
- Age: 28
- Position: Winger
- Current number of caps: 5
- Last cap: June, 2018
- Did you know? Solomona feels that meeting senior players can be important for the motivation and development of school age players.
After leaving Sale Sharks, Solomona has revealed that theRFU are in full support of him representing Fiji in the future.
#3. Zach Mercer (England to New Zealand)
- Age: 24
- Position: Number 8
- Current number of caps: 2
- Last cap: November, 2018
- Did you know? His father is former rugby league footballer and coach Gary Mercer, who played for New Zealand and the New Zealand Māori rugby league team
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
#4. Nathan Hughes (England to Fiji)
- Age: 30
- Position: Number 8
- Current number of caps: 20
- Last cap: March, 2019
- Did you know? His uncle, Asaeli Hughes, is a former dual international having represented Fiji in both basketball and 15s rugby
Try Celebrations for Nathan Hughes of Bristol Bears of Bristol Bears during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bristol Bears and Newcastle Falcons at Ashton Gate on 1 Jan. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#5. Matt Kvesic
- Age: 29
- Position: Back-row
- Current number of caps: 4
- Last cap: September, 2019
- Did you know? Born in Germany to English parents, Kvesic made his senior debut for Worcester in the Anglo-Welsh Cup against the Scarlets on 14 November 2009, becoming the youngest player to represent the Warriors in the professional era
Exeter Chiefs player Matt Kvesic during the warm up before the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Sale Sharks and Exeter Chiefs at JW Bell Stadium on March 2nd - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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