England is home for proud Hughes as the Fiji-born forward looks all set for debut

NATHAN HUGHES insists sacrificing a World Cup and building a new life halfway across the globe proves his commitment to England’s cause after qualifying on residency.

Hughes said he suffered criticism after opting to represent England, rejecting the opportunity to go to World Cup 2015 with Fiji.

Wasps’ Fiji-born No 8 is in line for his Test debut during England’s autumn internationals, with the 25-year-old bursting with pride to have made coach Eddie Jones’s Elite Player Squad.

World Rugby could extend the three-year residency qualification period for a nation to select a player born abroad by two years but Hughes has outlined the challenges of the current system.

“It wasn’t easy. People said ‘you’re not from here, why do you want to play for England, you should be playing for your own country’,” said Hughes.

“But at the end of the day it’s my decision and it’s my choice, who I want to play for. I count this as home now. England is where I’ve played for more than three years and I’m comfortable in saying this is home.

“No disrespect, Fiji is always in my heart and my family will always be there. But this is where I play my rugby, this is my bread and butter, over here.”

Hughes, who left Auckland for Wasps in 2013, continued: “I had chats with family and they’ve backed me with my decision.”