Reports: England union star set for league return?

England rugby union star Ben Te’o could be set to make his return to rugby league, according to reports in Australia.

According to The Australian and The Daily Telegraph, the 33-year-old is a potential target for several NRL clubs, with Brisbane Broncos reportedly leading the way.

Te’o is currently contracted to the Sunwolves club in Japan but is training in Brisbane after rugby union, like the majority other sports, was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

There are suggestions that the international Super Rugby competition, in which the Sunwolves compete, could be voided completely, potentially prompting the dual-code international to switch back to the 13-aside game.

He made over 150 NRL appearances during stints with Wests Tigers, Brisbane and South Sydney and represented Queensland Origin and Samoa before joining Leinster Rugby in 2014.

He has since played for Worcester Warriors and Toulon, as well as being selected by Eddie Jones to play for England and Warren Gatland to represent the British and Irish Lions.

He was one of several rugby union players linked with Toronto in recent months, however a move to Super League is extremely unlikely especially given the current circumstances.

There will also be challenges to overcome should he wish to be re-signed in the NRL, with the competition authorities currently not registering new or revised contracts due to uncertainties surrounding next year’s salary cap.