TRANSFER | Christian Wade could be heading back to the Premiership

Sunday, 06 September 2020 at 13:39

bySteven Smith

Former England speedster Christian Wade did not make it through Saturday's cut-down, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Wade was a demon in preseason games last season and ultimately ended up on the practice squad, but with the Bills set at the top of the running back depth chart with Devin Singletary and Zack Moss, the team needs pass catchers and special teams guys to fill out the rest of the group, not a hard-running prospect.

The report added that. the Bills would love to get Wade on the practice squad again, where he's eligible to come back to the roster as the Bills' designated international player if he clears waivers.

However, another source in the USA suggests Wade could be heading back to rugby union after he reportedly received a generous offer from Leicester Tigers.

Wade is third in the list of all-time try scorers in the Premiership with 82 tries but has only earned one cap for England, back in 2013, and that was believed to be a big factor in his decision to leave rugby union in 2018.

Wade was also called up to the British & Irish Lions squad as cover on the tour of Australia in 2013, playing one match against the Brumbies.

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LIST | 5 England players who could swap nations for 2023 World Cup

1. Manu Tuilagi (Samoa)

Current number of caps: 41
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
Did you know: He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team

The England centre, who was born in Fogapoa and came to the UK at the age of 13, is one of a clutch of Pacific Island players whose eligibility status could change if the restrictions are relaxed. He is the younger brother of Freddie, Henry, Alesana, Anitelea and Sanele Vavae Tuilagi, all of whom are Samoan internationals and also played for Leicester. It would be fantastic for the powerhouse to complete the set.

2. Mako Vunipola (Tonga)

Current number of caps: 63
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
Did you know: In 2018, Vunipola and his partner welcomed a son, Jacob.

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, the loosehead-prop would be eligiable to play for Tonga as he is the son of former Tonga captain Fe'ao Vunipola. He is also the nephew of two other former international players, Manu and 'Elisi Vunipola who both represented Tonga in the 1990s.

3. Nathan Hughes (Fiji)

Current number of caps: 20
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
Did you know: His uncle, Asaeli Hughes, is a former dual international having represented Fiji in both basketball and 15s rugby

The number eight was unlucky not to be included in Eddie Jones' squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The number eight, who has impressed for Bristol Bears this season, would be a stellar addition to the Fiji pack.

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4. Christian Wade (USA)

Current number of caps: 1
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
Did you know: In October 2018 Wade left rugby union to pursue a career in the NFL

Having left rugby union to pursue a career in the NFL, signing a reserve/future contract with the Bills on 6 January 2020. If he stays across the pond, the winger could make a shock switch back to the sport and possibly represent the 2023 Rugby World Cup, finally getting the international recognition he never received while playing in England.

5. Denny Solomona (Samoa)

Current number of caps: 5
Age at the start of RWC 2023: 30
Did you know: He scored 42 tries in 2016, breaking the Super League record

Despite representing England in rugby union, the winger has previously played for Samoa at international in rugby league. After falling out of Eddie Jones plans, representing Samoa would give the deadly finisher another chance to prove himself on the international stage.

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