LIST: Five players who REJECTED England call-ups

Rugby News
Monday, 08 March 2021 at 09:26
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Here are five well known rugby players who turned down an England call-up down the years. Bloody treason…

1. Louis Rees-Zammit

Eddie Jones knew from an early stage the 20-year-old was a talent worth courting. The wingers clinical finishing has been underlined by a haul of four tries in six Wales appearances, including two in the recent victory over Scotland. Jones rang Rees-Zammit in early 2020, but he told the Aussie that he was only interested in playing for Wales.
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2. Joe Marler

The loosehead prop has turned down numerous call-ups from Eddie Jones down the years, starting in 2016. He turned down a place on the tour to Australia following the infamous ‘Gypsygate’ saga, where he was fined £20,000 for his racial abuse of Wales rival Samson Lee. He then recently pulled out of the 2021 Six Nations squad in order to spend time with his family.
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3. Cameron Redpath

In 2021, The Bath and Scotland centre turned down the chance to be part of England's shadow squad for the 2021 Six Nations - instead accepting a full call-up from Gregor Townsend. Two weeks later he made his influential debut as the Scots recorded a historic 11-6 win at Twickenham.
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4. Michael Hooper

Following a number of standout performances at the Junior U20 championship in 2010, there were reports that the standout back-rower was a transfer target for Leicester Tigers. The RFU were reportedly involved in the bid as Hooper would have been eligible to play for England as his father is from Kent. However, he'd end up signing a new deal and has since won 105 caps for the Wallabies. If only, eh?
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5. Ross Moriarty

Moriarty, born in the rugby league hot-bed of St Helens, played alongside current England internationals Maro Itoje and Charlie Ewels, plus new Wales centre Nick Tompkins, when England Under-20s lifted the World Cup back in 2014. However, despite an approach to play for the senior team, Moriarty insisted he was Welsh and has since won 44 caps for the men in red.
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