NRL and England rugby league star Dom Young addresses union ‘rumours’

NRL and England rugby league star Dom Young has addressed ‘rumours’ linking him with a possible code switch to rugby union.

Young, who played in the first of England’s Test match victories over Samoa in the autumn, saw his name mentioned as a possible cross-coder right in the aftermath of Joseph Sua’ali’i’s successful move from rugby league to rugby union.

A report from the UK’s The Daily Telegraph quoted Young’s agent, Michael Cincotta, as confirming: “There’s also been strong interest from rugby union for Dom.”

The winger would then speak with Australian media outlining his intent to remain in rugby league but confirmed that a cross-code switch was “something that I’ve always been open to”.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph Down Under has now seen him provide clarity on the situation, revealing that it is simply an option and not necessarily a desire to cross codes.

“There were a few rumours lately, but I haven’t really had any talks or anything like that,” he explained.

“I have considered it in the past, and have had some talks with a couple of clubs before but I came out here.

“It’s not even like that I want to play union, it’s just an option that I have considered.”

Young is set to head into his second season with Sydney Roosters after a debut campaign with the club that saw him score 20 in 22 games, a scoring rate that only a handful of players including Leeds Rhinos’ signing Maika Sivo, St Helens’ new man Kyle Felt and the league’s overall top scorer Alofiana Khan-Pereira bettered.

That strong first campaign for the Roosters has seen him take his NRL tally to 63 in 73, making him one of the most prolific try-scorers in the competition across the past four seasons.

The Dewsbury-born winger made just two Super League appearances whilst with the Huddersfield Giants before making his switch to the NRL, however, talk of a code switch had been louder than that of a Super League return.

With Young now providing clarity on the situation and confirming that rugby union is simply an option, it seems his future is locked in rugby league for now. He has a further three seasons left on his contract with the Roosters – making him a free agent for the 2028 season.