England rugby league’s star winger Dom Young would consider a cross-code move to union.
The 6ft 7in, 17st winger has been described as a “freak of nature” and has been a prolific try-scorer in the NRL since the 23-year-old moved to Australia three years ago.
Joseph Sua’ali’i delivered a staggering performance for the Wallabies against England last weekend in his first match of rugby union as an adult following a recent big-money move from the 13-a-side game.
England, and other teams around the world, could now be looking for their own answer to Sua’ali’i after his devastating impact and a remarkably rapid transition.
Young, who plays for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL, could be top of the list from an England perspective with head coach Steve Borthwick reported to be an admirer.
His unique combination of size, pace, finishing prowess and offloading ability would make him a formidable proposition and an asset to union teams.
And Young’s agent has revealed there has been interest from union sides in the past and that his player would be open to a move, if the offer was right.
“There’s always been strong interest from rugby union for Dom,” Michael Cincotta, of Crown Sports Management, said.
“There were some discussions prior to Dom beginning his NRL career. It’s certainly something that will be considered down the track if it’s the right opportunity. Dom is an exceptional athlete and would make a seamless switch with his game-breaking ability.”
England have had mixed results with rugby league converts in the past, however. World Cup winner Jason Robinson and Chris Ashton were both roaring successes, but Sam Burgess, who arrived in union to much fanfare, quickly returned to league after the disastrous 2015 World Cup campaign.
John Bentley, Andy Farrell, Kyle Eastmond, Joel Tomkins and Ben Te’o are among those to have played for England in union to differing degrees of success after league careers.
Young quit Huddersfield Giants to move to the NRL as an unproven teenager after only two first-team appearances. His 2021 debut season was hit and miss, but Young soon began to fulfil his awesome potential as a 2022 breakout year ended with a nine-try haul for England at the World Cup.
Yorkshireman Young joined the Roosters on a four-year deal at the start of 2024, and played with Sua’ali’i, after he made a big-money switch to the Roosters. This year he has notched 20 tries in 22 appearances.
“Dom has only scratched the surface of what he is capable of,” Cincotta added. “If he transitioned to rugby union, he would undoubtedly draw significant attention and elevate interest in the sport. Dom is box office.”
Young played for England’s rugby league team in their recent Test series victory over Samoa while his older brother, Alex, also plays for the Roosters but for Jamaica at international level.
Former Wigan winger Martin Offiah has pinpointed Young, and Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth, as potential targets for Borthwick, citing his belief that the NRL-based pair would walk straight into the England side.
Offiah has revealed that Borthwick is an admirer of Young in particular, stating that the England coach told him he would be his top pick of any current league player.
“I interviewed Steve Borthwick in the changing room at Twickenham before the Rugby World Cup and I asked him point blank: If there was one player from rugby league, who would you take?’” Offiah said.
“Steve replied ‘Dom Young’, and I think there were advances towards him but they were rejected.
“Joseph Sua’ali’i’s offloading ability is a natural skill which is so transferable from league to union – as he showed on Saturday.
“Significantly, I think Dom Young and Herbie Farnworth have without a doubt a skill set that would allow them to thrive in rugby union and play for England – Dom on the wing and Herbie at full-back or centre.
“You could compare Young and Farnworth to the likes of Lote Tuqiri and Wendell Sailor.
“Even here in England, two of England’s greatest-ever outside backs are rugby league converts in two former Wigan wingers Jason Robinson and Chris Ashton.
“There’s definitely mileage in the prospect of Young and Farnworth crossing codes at some point.”
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