England approach Rice

WeST hAM’S Declan Rice could be set to switch his international allegiance to england despite his three caps for Republic of Ireland. Rice, 19, has been left out of the Ireland squad for next month’s nations League opener against Wales. had he made his first competitive appearance in Cardiff on September 6 the speculation would have ended. But Ireland boss Martin O’neill said Londonborn Rice, who is eligible for Ireland via his grandparents, is considering england’s approach. ‘england have spoken to him. he is taking time to make his mind up,’ O’neill said. In the summer, Rice had labelled the speculation ‘a load of c**p’. West ham co-owner David Gold had said: ‘My hope all along has been that Declan first becomes an england player and follows in the footsteps of the great Bobby Moore by becoming the captain of england. Born in england, made in West ham United.’