Rugby Union: Ashes series tipped balance for Keiron

The prospect of playing in the first Ashes Series for seven years helped persuade Keiron Cunningham to turn his back on a switch to rugby union.

Jason Robinson and Henry Paul cited the attraction of international rugby union as reasons behind their ‘‘defections’’ but Cunningham was happy to beat the drum for the embattled 13-man game when he ended the guessing game over his future.