Hoskins Sotutu attracts Premiership interest as All Blacks forward weighs up England switch – report
Could Hoskins Sotutu be lining up for Steve Borthwick's side next November?
All Blacks and Blues number eight Hoskins Sotutu has attracted interest from Premiership clubs as Steve Borthwick reportedly lines up a swoop for the loose forward.
The 26-year-old missed out on Scott Robertson’s squads for the July internationals and the Rugby Championship but was set to earn his first recall since 2022 before injury struck.
Sotutu was initially named in the All Blacks XV for tour matches against Munster and Georgia in November. Robertson has since revealed that the number eight would have been called into the New Zealand squad following a trio of injuries to stars in the National Provincial Championship.
England, New Zealand or Fiji?
However, having last played for the All Blacks in November 2022, the back-rower could switch international allegiances next November and it is reported that he has held talks with England head coach Borthwick.
The Auckland-born forward would qualify for England through his mother while he could also make the switch to Fiji, who his father Waisake Sotutu represented on 12 occasions.
New Zealand broadcaster James McOnie issued a ‘watch this space’ warning that the loose forward could make the international allegiance switch after he was ruled out of the northern tour and it looks as if it is a real possibility.
However, Borthwick is unable to select overseas-based players due to the RFU’s selection policies meaning that if Sotutu were to switch to England, he would need to join a Premiership club and according to a report, two clubs are interested in signing him.
Rugby Pass reports that Saracens and Leicester Tigers have the Blues star, who is contracted to New Zealand Rugby until 2026, on their radar.
Scott Robertson: ‘We were going to bring Hoskins Sotutu in’ but All Blacks tour was ‘a step too far’
Sotutu made his Test debut in 2020 against the Wallabies and earned a further 13 appearances in the black jersey, the last of which coming against England at Twickenham in 2022.
All Blacks boss Robertson admitted that he has not spoken to the back-rower about his future on the international stage.
“No, I haven’t had a conversation with him in that regard,” he said.
“I just know he is contracted to New Zealand until 2026 and if he was fit, he would have come away with us.”
All Blacks: Scott Robertson addresses Hoskins Sotutu’s potential Test allegiance switch
Potential suitors
While Premiership budgets are tight, Saracens bid farewell to Billy Vunipola at the end of last season and could well have a bit of wiggle room to sign the New Zealander.
As for Leicester, they also saw star number eight Jasper Wiese depart the club at the end of last season and signed youngster Corne Beets.
The report does not mention Gloucester but the West Midlands club could also look into signing the Blues star with Zach Mercer regularly linked with a return to the French Top 14 with multiple suitors interested in his services.
Meanwhile, Bordeaux are understood to be interested in the likes of Northampton Saints star Juarno Augustus, Sale Sharks forward Dan du Preez and Bath’s Alfie Barbeary.
Sotutu could also attract interest from Top 14 clubs which could open the door for him to follow in his father’s footsteps and represent Fiji.
