England wing Christian Wade has sensationally abandoned his rugby career with Wasps in an attempt to play American football in the NFL.

The 27-year-old is the most prolific English try-scorer of the professional era and his abrupt switch to a new sport will come as an almighty shock within the domestic game.

Wade has scored 82 tries in 130 Premiership matches since bursting on to the scene during the 2010-11 campaign; leaving him third on the all-time list behind Tom Varndell and Mark Cueto.

Christian Wade has sensationally abandoned his rugby career in an attempt to play in the NFL

He seemingly had many years left to surpass those top finishers and set records with his pace and predatory instincts. Instead, Wade is apparently ready to harness those qualities in gridiron.

Despite all his remarkable exploits for Wasps, he has made just a solitary appearance for England, in Argentina back in 2013, before being called up to the Lions tour of Australia that summer.

Since then, he has been unable to earn further international recognition, with Eddie Jones repeatedly overlooking the diminutive wide man in recent years.

The 27-year-old winger is the most prolific English try-scorer of the professional era

There are precedents, in terms of English rugby players trying to convert to American football

Wade has made five appearances for his Coventry-based club this season – playing 80 minutes on each occasion, but without adding to his remarkable try tally.

His appearance against Gloucester at the Ricoh Arena on October 6 now appears to have been his farewell game in Wasps colours.

There are precedents, in terms of English rugby players trying to convert to American football. Last season, Christian Scotland-Williamson left Worcester and is now with Pittsburgh Steelers. Former England Sevens player Alex Gray captained the Atlanta Falcons during a pre-season match.