England defend Solomona selection
RUGBY Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie has defended Eddie Jones’ decision to select New Zealand-born wing Denny Solomona despite the union lobbying to extend the residency rule to five years.
Solomona is set to win his first rugby union cap after being included in a 31-man squad that will embark on a two-test tour of Argentina in June.
The Auckland-born 23-year-old controversially switched codes in December by swapping Castleford for Sale and continues to be every bit as prolific, scoring 10 tries in 13 appearances for the Sharks.
Since making a solitary rugby league test appearance for Samoa last year, he has since qualified for England and pledged his allegiance to the Six Nations champions, following in the footsteps of recent converts from overseas Ben Te’o and Nathan Hughes.
‘ I simply see it as here is a rule, we adhere to this rule and we also believe it is right to change it. ’ IAN RITCHIE