State of Origin playmaker considering England switch to target rugby league Ashes 

An ex-State of Origin man is reportedly considering switching nationality to England with the target being to play in this year’s rugby league Ashes.

The Ashes series has been revived and will take place for the first time since 2003 with many considering it to be the pinnacle of international rugby league, at least from an England and Australia standpoint.

During the 22 years when the Ashes were not played, State of Origin has risen in prominence and perhaps even ahead of genuine international contests but a debate now rages about that competition and its eligibility rules.

One man with who has represented Queensland on four occasions, most recently in 2023, is now considering switching his national allegiance to England in order to make a bid to play in this year’s Ashes.

That man is Gold Coast Titans full-back/five-eighth AJ Brimson with the 26-year-old qualifying to represent England through his mother, Vanessa, who was born in England.

State of Origin playmaker considering England switch to target rugby league Ashes

Reports from The Daily Telegraph have revealed Brimson is considering representing for England but it is not as simple as him simply declaring as he has previously represented Australia in a nines World Cup.

Also in the World Cup-winning side was Newcastle Knights star Kalyn Ponga who has also been caught up in an eligibility row in recent months.

For Brimson to be able to represent England, he must apply to the International Rugby League Federation who could grant him the ability to switch with the rules different when it comes to switching between tier-one nations.

Australia not objecting to the switch would aid Brimson in his bid to make the switch, however, the allowing the Gold Coast man to switch could set a precedent and possibly allow Kalyn Ponga to switch to the Kiwis.

England rugby league head coach Shaun Wane confirmed that he is “aware that there is an interest”, adding: “I haven’t taken it any further than that but I will be looking into it this week. He is a good player.”

Brimson would have to beat out Jack Welsby to start at full-back or George Williams to start in the halves, two of Wane’s favourites, but it would be expected that the NRL man could slot in as the second-choice full-back given the lack of depth England have at the position.