England

Australian-born Longbottom keen to play for England

ESPN Staff

Kieran Longbottom is keen to play for England © Getty Images Enlarge

Saracens' Australian prop Kieran Longbottom has declared his interest in playing for England.

Longbottom signed for Saracens from Western Force ahead of this season and impressed on his debut against current England loose-head Joe Marler. Although he was born in Perth, he was surprised to know he qualifies for England through his late maternal grandmother.

"I did not think that I was eligible to play for England," Longbottom told The Times. "I thought I would come here for a couple of years, become a better scrummager and go back and have another crack at it [playing for Australia]. My manager asked do you have any British grandparents and I remembered my mum mentioning that her mum was born in England. It just popped up. I didn't even know that's how it worked."

Longbottom, who plays at tight-head, added: "To represent England would be a definite honour. I have seen the history behind England and it's epic. To represent that would be a great honour.

"It is one of those things that I took this opportunity when it came up and if another opportunity arose because of that then I would try to take that as well. If you open one door then other doors might open as well."

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