Have your say: Were England right to select Blake Austin?

Drew Darbyshire 16 Jul 2019 11:42 AM

England selected Australian-born half-back Blake Austin on Monday and we want to know whether you believe it was the right call or not.

The 28-year-old was born and raised in Australia but qualifies to play for England and Great Britain by virtue of his parental grandmother.

Austin – who has scored 19 tries in 24 games for Warrington in 2019 – represented Portugal three times earlier in his teenage years.

He is the only new player in the England Elite Performance Squad.

It is not the first time England have selected a heritage player though. Rangi Chase – who was born in New Zealand and made two appearances for the New Zealand Maori side earlier in his career – earned eight caps for England between 2011-13 through gaining UK citizenship.

Who can forget Maurie Fa’asavalu? The prop earned 28 caps for Samoa in rugby union before switching codes to rugby league in 2003 with St Helens. The Samoa-born forward played two games for Great Britain and three times for England through having a UK citizenship.

Australian-born back-rower or loose forward Chris McQueen made a solitary appearance for England in 2017 after qualifying to play through his father.

Chris Heighington – who was also born and raised in Australia – earned seven caps for England between 2011-17 through his father, who emigrated Down Under.

Austin is set to become the fifth overseas-born player to represent England.

A lot of people on social media believe that representing family heritage is completely, while others believe only English born players should play for England.

We want to know what you think…

Were England right to select Blake Austin? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.