Ruaridh McConnochie responds to ‘snide’ comments from former England teammates

Ruaridh McConnochie, a wing for Bath Rugby, expected teasing from his former England teammates after he made the Scotland squad for the 2023 Six Nations

Despite having played and scored for England in the 2019 World Cup, McConnochie has decided to take advantage of the recent change in rugby’s eligibility rules which allow players who have not been selected for their country in three years to switch to another nation for which they qualify.

Upon the Scotland squad announcement, Jonathan Joseph wrote jovially: “Absolute disgrace.”

England hooker Tom Dunn wrote: “Nothing that man won’t do for.”

Speaking to the Mail Online, he was asked if he expects to be wound up by England teammates, McConnochie said: “Yes, probably. I’d expect nothing less! It would be weird if I didn’t.

“I look back on England with an immense amount of pride. I’ll never not be proud of my career and my journey up to now.

“I’ve got a lot to thank Eddie (Jones) for. He didn’t need to put the trust in me. To be able to go to the World Cup was unbelievable and something I’d never dreamed of.

“My family are all Scots. They’ve all grown up supporting Scotland and we as kids grew up supporting Scotland as well.

“It’s not paying them back, but it’s giving them an opportunity to text me saying “Welcome home. We can’t wait to start wearing our blue shirt again rather than supporting England”.

“I’m 100 per cent committed.”

RANKED: Which Six Nations country has the most foreign-born players?

The 2023 Six Nations Championship is the 24th edition of the competition since expanding to include Italy in 2000.

It was originally conceived as the Home Nations Championship and first contested by England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales in 1883. France joined in 1910 to create the Five Nations Championship.

There were 59 foreign-born players in the 2021 Six Nations. The player rosters for the 2022 competition number totalled of 73 foreign-born players

So far, with four of the six squads announced, the number for this years tournament currently tallies 38 with France and Ireland yet to name their squads.

Ireland boss Andy Farrell will name his squad on Thursday a 9 am.

There will also be players called up during the tournament, which will also contribute to the totally tally.

England (4/36) – Up by two

On 16 January 2023, Borthwick named a 36-player England squad for the 2023 Six Nations Championship

Bevan Rodd (Scotland)

Mako Vunipola (New Zealand)

Marcus Smith (Phillipines)

Manu Tuilagi (Samoa)

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