DENNY THE LION?
Kiwi-born former league wing Solomona makes a late dash for tour slot
SALe’s prolific wing denny solomona is understood to have an outside chance of being selected for the Lions tour just a month after officially qualifying for england on residency.
the 23-year-old is being monitored by the Lions coaching staff after making a stunning impact since his controversial switch from league to union, which prompted Castleford to initiate legal action.
solomona has scored 11 tries in as many matches for the sharks and his predatory feats have propelled the Auckland-born player into late contention to be picked for the crusade to his homeland.
It is understood that Lions defence coach Andy Farrell, a code-breaker in his playing days, regards him particularly highly. Warren Gatland is due to name a 37-man squad on April 19 and competition for wing and full-back places is fierce.
there are likely to be six backthree players included and the front- runners are stuart Hogg, Leigh Halfpenny, George North and Liam Williams. others in contention, many with significant test experience, are Anthony Watson, tommy seymour, Jack Nowell, Keith earls, Mike Brown, Jonny May, simon Zebo, Marland Yarde, Chris Ashton, sean Maitland and Christian Wade. on that basis, solomona’s prospects are slight, but if he keeps scoring tries he may be difficult to ignore.
If the Lions don’t need him, england will probably pick him for their two-test tour of Argentina in June. eddie Jones is thought to be impressed by the newcomer and there are sure to be vacancies to fill out wide, depending on which englishmen make the cut with Gatland. Jones is likely to name his tour squad the day after the Lions.
In september, while he was still a league player, solomona suggested he had no interest in playing for england in the 13-man game. But he has had a change of heart since his change of sport. ‘It just came down to circumstances,’ he said on sale’s website. ‘they change, I enjoy playing here (england), I’ve been here three years and it’s the choice I want to make. I confided in my coaches and my family and they support me.
‘If it (test call-up) comes, great, if it doesn’t, there’s always next year, and the year after. I’m just trying to enhance my skills as a rugby union player.’
solomona has encountered a hostile backlash from across the Pennines and the cross-code divide since opting to ‘retire’ from league in order to sign for sale. ‘that comes with the job,’ he added. ‘If you’re not hated, you’re not doing something right. the coaching staff have helped me block it out.’
Coincidentally, england are destined to benefit swiftly from the services of a player newly qualified on residency, just as the RFU are leading a campaign to tighten the criteria by voting for a five-year residency period.
RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie said: ‘It’s a question, very simply, of, “What do the rules say?”. the obvious answer is to adhere to the rules. Yes, we’ve been consistent in lobbying to change the rules — and once they’re changed, we’ll abide by them.’