Ben Te’o: I nearly declared for Ireland

Former Leinster star Ben Te’o has revealed how he considered declaring for Ireland before opting to pursue an international career with Six Nations rivals England.

Te’o made his Test debut off the bench in Saturday’s 37-21 victory over South Africa and is poised to win a second cap when Fiji visit Twickenham this weekend in the second of four autumn internationals.

Born in Auckland but moving to Australia when he was 17, he grew up playing both codes of rugby but it was league that claimed his allegiance and he went on to make eight State of Origin appearances for Queensland.