England boss Steve Borthwick set to launch bid to sign 'freak of nature' 6ft 7in rugby league winger

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England rugby league’s star winger Dom Young might be eyeing a sensational cross-code switch to rugby union, with speculation mounting that England head coach Steve Borthwick has already kept a close watch on him.

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Standing at a towering 6ft 7in and weighing 17st, Young has made a name for himself as a prolific try-scorer in the NRL. Since his move to Australia three years ago, the 23-year-old has been a game-changing presence, leading many to hail him as a "freak of nature."

Joseph Sua'ali'i's Union Breakthrough

The buzz around Young comes on the heels of Joseph Sua'ali'i's electrifying debut for the Wallabies against England. His performance marked his first match in rugby union as an adult, following a lucrative switch from league. His immediate impact and seamless adaptation have set a benchmark that rugby union sides, including England, are now keen to replicate.

Michael Cincotta: "Strong Interest from Union"

"There's always been strong interest from rugby union for Dom," said Michael Cincotta of Crown Sports Management. "There were some discussions prior to Dom beginning his NRL career. It's certainly something that will be considered down the track if it's the right opportunity. Dom is an exceptional athlete and would make a seamless switch with his game-breaking ability."

The thought of the 23-year-old bringing his "game-breaking ability" to the 15-a-side code is sure to spark plenty of debate. Could he be the answer to England's search for their own league-to-union success story?

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England Rugby's 10 Worst Ever Players – according to AI

We asked ChatFPT to name the worst ever England rugby players.

The following article is a list of the five worst players for the England national rugby team, according to artificial intelligence. Despite the inclusion of players who played both union and league, the first spot is undoubtedly deserved.

All players listed have failed to live up to expectations and have been a disappointment in one way or another.

#10. Andy Farrell

Farrell played for England’s rugby union and rugby league teams. He was an excellent rugby league player but failed to transition successfully into rugby union. Farrell flopped during the 2007 World Cup.

#9. Stuart Barnes

Barnes, a diminutive fly-half, only played ten games for England in nine years, largely due to the selectors’ preference for Rob Andrew. Barnes retired after the 1994 South African tour due to a groin injury and frustration with the selectors.

#8. Olly Barkley

Barkley won 23 caps for England between 2001 and 2008, with an early reputation that saw him play for England before Bath. He was a graceful left-footer who could play fly-half or inside-centre. After the retirement of Will Greenwood and Jonny Wilkinson’s injury curse, Barkley should have been a mainstay in the England midfield. It’s unclear what went wrong, as he kicked well from the tee and out of hand, was a good distributor, and wasn’t a defensive liability.

#7. Darren Crompton

Bristol prop Crompton was a solid player who anchored the Bristol scrum during their 2006-07 season. He was called up to the England squad for their tour to South Africa, but he was never the most mobile and was practically stationary by the time he put on the England shirt, disappointing since he could have been called up earlier in his career.

#6. Ben Foden

Foden was identified as a talented player earmarked for England. Sale saw him as an international class full-back, but he wanted to play at scrum-half. He did win 34 caps, but it could have been more.

#5. Danny Cipriani

The fly-half was world-class but only won 16 caps for England, which was a complete disaster. He never replicated his club form on the international stage.

#4. Shaun Perry

He made a charming rags-to-riches story as an ex-welder who burst onto the scene with Bristol. However, he never looked comfortable in the England shirt, and a poor performance against South Africa in the 2007 Rugby World Cup led to him being dropped by England coach Brian Ashton. He never played for England again.

#3. Andy Hazell

Hazell had the unenviable task of filling the retired Neil Back’s shoes, and despite his small size and aggressive play, he failed to make an impact. He became known for giving away penalties and only made his international appearances during the 2004-05 season.

#2. Sam Burgess

England’s rush to include Burgess in their World Cup squad, despite concerns about his experience and ability to adapt to rugby union, ultimately resulted in a catastrophic failure. Bath, who signed him for a record fee, and Burgess himself must also share responsibility for the debacle. While he was not a bad player, the entire saga was a disaster.

#1. Lesley Vainikolo

The powerhouse, nicknamed “The Volcano,” burst onto the rugby scene for Gloucester, scoring an incredible five tries on his debut against Leeds. He was then eligible to play for England due to residency grounds, and earned five caps. However, despite his domestic success, Vainikolo failed to replicate his try-scoring form at the international level, resulting in his quick exit from the national team under Martin Johnston’s tenure.

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