England’s new head coach, Brian McDermott, has insisted he will not hesitate to include foreign-born players, who are eligible to represent England, in his World Cup squad selection this year.
McDermott, who now has just under six months to analyse and choose his squad for the tournament, will have a few extra players to consider this year, with a number of stars playing in the NRL declaring their allegiance to England.
The likes of Victor Radley, who represented England at the last World Cup, Chris Heighington who was a World Cup finalist in 2017, and more recently AJ Brimson have all done so in the past, with Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith another who could be in contention after revealing he wants to play for England due to his parents both being born here.
The Brailey brothers, Jayden and Blayke, have also said playing for the Three Lions is an option they would consider due to their mother being born in Liverpool.
Brian McDermott keen on including foreign-born players to England squad
The latest player set to declare their allegiance to McDermott’s national side is Brisbane Broncos forward, Ben Talty.
It’s been reported overnight in Australia that the forward has put his hand up to represent England, and when asked if he is happy to use foreign-born players, McDermott gave an impassioned speech about the matter.
“I am. It’s not for us to debate whether we’re happy or not. International rules suggest they can play for the country,” McDermott said.
“I don’t know his (Ben Talty’s) heritage, maybe it’s his grandmother who is English. Who are we to say to Ben Talty that, on a moral point, you shouldn’t be playing for England?
“He might want to fight for his heritage. He might be extremely proud of his heritage. He may love the ground that his grandmother walks on and thinks that’s who I want to represent. Who are we to say that’s not the right thing?”
McDermott then went on to highlight a key point of difference that he himself has realised in the past, that being that England versus Australia is not simply Super League versus the NRL but actually the national pride.
He recalled: “I had an opinion of Maurie Fa’asavalu many years ago when he played for England. I think he was playing for St Helens at the time. I made the mistake in thinking this is Super League against NRL. It isn’t. It’s not Super League against NRL, it’s England as a nation.
“Blayke Braliey and Jayden Brailey’s mother are English. If they decide they want to represent their nation, it is their nation as much as it’s ours. It’s not for anybody to make a judgement on that.
“If the rules internationally suggest they can play, then they can play legally.”
As for how the process of contacting English-eligible players would work, McDermott confirmed that he would be ‘proactive’ on the matter, and would certainly ring interested parties if and when the RFL had checked eligibility and made first contact via such player’s clubs.
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