BOK RHODES LEAD TO TWICKENHAM

MICHAEL RHODES is as English as biltong, but he is in line to make his debut against his homeland on Saturday.

Rhodes has no family qualification for England, spent the first 27 of his 30 years in South Africa, was raised on the family farm in Kruger Park, his pet rabbits were eaten by a python, his dog killed by a leopard and he survived a confrontation with a rearing cobra.

Yet in the fluid world of international rugby union, the Saracens flanker could make his England debut at Twickenham courtesy of the three-year residency rule.

To those questioning his commitment to the Red Rose, Rhodes (right) said: “I am going to play as hard as possible and as committed as possible to winning the game.

“To those people, I would say that my goal is to win rugby games with England.

“If they support the team, then winning is what they should be concerned about. When it comes down to commitment, there should be no doubt where mine lies.

“I never came here to play for England. I left my international aspirations in South Africa when I left. I didn’t even know there was the three-year qualification.”