mens
international
Ex England No.8 Nathan Hughes ended his call-up to the Fiji team by scoring a try in his first appearance at the Top 14 season for Race 92 on Saturday.
The 35-year-old came off the bench in Racing’s 55-25 win over Perpignan, immediately after being included in the Flying Fijians’ extended 68-man squad.
Hughes, who won 22 England caps between 2016 and 2019, missed out on Fiji Nations Championship team in July but is now back in the frame ahead of the Test against Japan on October 24 and the following Nations Championship matches.
His inclusion creates the possibility of a Test debut for the country of his birth seven years after his last appearance for England, with Fiji naming a large group before trimming it down for the fall program.
The move would see Hughes become one of the latest former England internationals to represent another nation under World Rugby’s current international eligibility rules. Hughes’ ex Wasps teammate Jacob Umaga has since switched allegiances Samoa after making his England debut in 2021, with props Henry Thomas and Alec Hepburn representing Wales and Scotland, after their careers in England.
Fiji squad
Strikers: Adunaisa Sokobale, Aaron Mawi, Levi Natave, Mel Tuni, Ben Ravai, Kavaia Tagivetau, Benaiah Cakobau, Benjamin Narasia, Sam Matavesi, David Ikanivere, Zuriel Togiatama, Felix Nairau, Enoch Tim Houiwasev, Luke Iso Tagivaki, Luke Iso Tagiaki Turagacoke, Joseph Tamani, Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, David Ratuva, Watson Waqanisaravi, Etonia Waqa, Joseph Namosimalua, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Bethel Yato, Elive Miramira, Gideon Salawa, Levani Tuirasue, Alberta Mordecai, Alberta Mordecai G.
back: Frank Lomani, Sam Wye, Simeon Kuruvoli, Terio Tamani, Ben Volavola, Caleb Muntz, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Kemu Valentine, Etonia Rokotuisawa, Judah Wainiqolo, George Nasova, Vuate Karawalevu, Philemon Botitu, Inia Tabuhua, Tama, Tuisve Josve, Tama Boselawa, Semi Lagivala, Sethrek Bithuniyata, Sireli Maqal, Vinaya Habosi, Virimi Vakatawa, Maleli Nauvasi, Boniface Loganmasi, Celestine Ravutumada, Ezekiel Rabitu, Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Setariki Rabisivu,
