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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 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.
Solomona recently completed the three-year residency period to make him eligible for England. The RFU, however, wants that rule extended to five years – a measure which will be voted on by the World Rugby Council at their Kyoto summit next month.
“I don’t see it as hypocritical,” Ritchie said of Solomona’s recent selection. “The current rule is three years. We checked very carefully that Denny hits the current qualification. Why therefore would one not pick him?
“If he qualifies, and is currently qualified, there is nothing at all inconsistent with saying ‘that’s fine you have to pick him’.
“If we feel that down the line, which we do, that five years is a perfectly decent period, and we have been fairly public about that. When it comes up in Kyoto in May we will be supporting five years.
“I simply see it as here is a rule, we adhere to this rule and we also believe it is right to change it and have been lobbying to change it. When it changes we will adhere to that rule. End of.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.