Another England star wants to swap nations following Steve Borthwick snub
Yesterday at 07:16 AM
Another England international is heading for the exit door – and this one might sting a little more than most.
Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
Leicester Tigers centre Dan Kelly has confirmed he will join Munster Rugby ahead of the 2025/26 season on a two-year deal – and the 23-year-old is now targeting a place in Ireland's Six Nations squad after previously representing England.
The Manchester-born midfielder, who qualifies for Ireland through his grandparents, has one cap for England but looks set to switch international allegiances as he continues his club career in the United Rugby Championship.
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From Manchester to Munster
Kelly becomes the latest English player to take his talents across the Irish Sea, with Munster and the IRFU confirming the deal this week. The hard-hitting centre has long been considered one of the brightest young midfielders in English rugby, and this move could prove a game-changer for his Test career.
England's loss, Ireland's gain?
Despite being part of multiple England training squads under Eddie Jones and Steve Borthwick, Kelly has just one cap to his name – coming off the bench against Canada in 2021. Injuries and selection hurdles have blocked his path, and now he's hoping the Shamrock can offer a clearer route to international rugby.
A Tiger no more
Since making his debut for Leicester Tigers in 2020, Kelly has become a fan favourite at Welford Road. He’s made 88 appearances for the club, scoring 10 tries, and played a crucial role in their 2022 Premiership title-winning season. His consistency and defensive steel made him a trusted pick in the Tigers’ midfield.
Dual-threat midfielder
Kelly's rugby journey began at Sale Sharks' academy, joining them at the age of 16. He later secured a scholarship to Loughborough University and featured in the National League before catching the eye with Ireland U20s. That stint, as an 18-year-old, first sparked talk of a potential green jersey.
What's next?
This season, Kelly has already notched up seven appearances for Leicester and crossed the try line once. But with Munster calling and England seemingly out of reach, the future looks Irish. Expect to see him in green sooner rather than later – and possibly in time to face England in the Six Nations.
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Three England Stars Who Could Lose Their Central Contracts
Last October, England handed out 17 enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) contracts as part of the shiny new Professional Game Partnership deal.
It gave head coach Steve Borthwick more control than ever, including the final word on all sports science and medical matters.
Among the big winners were George Ford, Marcus Smith and Fin Smith – all three fly-halves receiving upgraded deals ahead of the autumn internationals.
But fast forward six months, and not all those golden ticket holders are sitting pretty. We take a look at three players who could be on the chopping block ahead of the next round of central contract decisions.
#1. Henry Slade – The Class Act Losing His Place
Slade's silky style has long made him a favourite with fans – but his Six Nations was anything but smooth. Once pencilled in as a midfield maestro, he now finds himself completely out of Borthwick's 23.
His combination with Ollie Lawrence never quite clicked, and although there were flickers of promise, it wasn’t enough to convince the coaches. Slade was ultimately cast aside in favour of Fraser Dingwall, and now his England future – and his central contract – looks seriously uncertain.
Possible replacement: Fraser Dingwall
The mid-Six Nations switch that saw him take Slade’s place has given Dingwall a solid opportunity to make a real push for a long-term role in the squad. A gritty and intelligent player, he's an ideal fit in the centre and could continue his rise with consistent performances.
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