In 2000 Jason Robinson made the transfer from Wigan Warriors to Sale Sharks, before going on to star for the British and Irish Lions and then helping England win its only Rugby World Cup in 2003. Other cross-code conquests have been made since – Chris Ashton, Andy Farrell, Sam Burgess – but few have made the same kind of legendary impact as “Billy Whizz”.
England are not the only nation to have recognised the value of elite rugby league players. The Wallabies have consistently dined on NRL cattle for decades, and will field Joseph Suaalii against England this weekend. The All Blacks have their own varied history, from Sonny Bill Williams to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
While not every convert has been a resounding success, there is enough special talent in league to throw the dice. Few know this better than Brian Carney, the former Super League star who also earned four caps for Ireland in rugby union two decades ago.
Carney believes the switch can be made, but the different skillsets and the defensive and tactical intricacies of union cannot be ignored.
“Rugby league is a far simpler game,” the 50-year-old says. “It’s that challenge of ‘run as hard as you can, and tackle.’
“That’s the challenge of rugby league: ‘I’m going to run this hard, can you match me defensively?’ Union has far more defensively subtlety in it, that’s the biggest difference between them.”
Dominic Young
Dominic Young’s sheer size would help him transfer from league to union (Photo: Getty)The Wakefield-born flyer who came through Huddersfield Giants academy has been a hit since he swapped Super League for Australia in 2021. In seven seasons for the Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters, Young has grabbed 96 tries in just 119 NRL appearances.
Young has quickly established himself as one of the NRL’s most damaging wingers. At 6ft 7in tall, and weighing nearly 17st, the 25-year-old has the size and the speed to trouble any defence.
Young has also matched his try-scoring feats in clubland for his country, bagging 14 tries in only 11 matches for England. This year the dreadlocked winger with Jamaican heritage took his game to a new level, helping Newcastle go all the way to the grand final with 23 tries from 27 appearances.
Contracted to the Knights until the end of 2030, the Yorkshireman would need a fair offer to prise him away from his NRL side. But with his rare athletic gifts and ability to break tackles, Young would have a great opportunity to thrive in the other code.
Wing is often seen as the easiest position to transfer from league to union, with the likes of Chris Ashton, Robinson, Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and others making the impressive change.
“Wingers need a kicking game,” Carney counters. “Young will need a kicking game if he goes to union.”
Carney himself made the switch from the flank in 2007 to the different code, but argues it is not a fait accompli: “For every Jason Robinson, there’s a Lesley Vainikolo.”
Herbie Farnworth
Farnworth could not help England get beyond the RLWC group stages (Photo: Getty)Widely regarded as the best centre in rugby league right now, Farnworth is the outside back with the movie star looks. Mentored by Jackie Edwards, the father of Shaun Edwards, Farnworth was a childhood sporting prodigy who was good enough to be on the books of first Burnley FC and then Manchester United.
But rugby was his passion, and with Wigan Warriors talent scout Brian Foley as his uncle, the centre focused on the oval ball. Playing both league and union as a youngster, he moved down under at the age of 15 to learn the 13-man trade. The gamble paid off and Farnworth came through the Brisbane Broncos NRL pathway, debuting in the first-team in 2019 at the age of 19.
After five seasons with Brisbane, the silky three-quarter shifted north to the Dolphins in 2024. At Redcliffe his development has soared and he is now seen as the most dominant centre in the NRL.
Off-contract at the end of 2027, Farnworth has already been sized up as a potential big-name signing for the Roosters. But with his rugby union background as a teenager at Ermysted’s Grammar School, and previous comments about the challenge of one day playing professional rugby union, the 26-year-old would be a stunning potential capture for the RFU.
Able to play at 15, 13 or 12, the boy from Blacko would guarantee bums on seats at Twickenham.
“Herbie is a wonderfully elusive runner, but he will learn in union you can’t just run solo,” Carney says.
“That’s not to say a switch can’t happen.
“Some would argue that the greatest recent example is Jason Robinson, and Jason was by all measures a freak athletic talent. If you’re bringing that to the game, you’ve got a chance. But it’s no given.”
Hugo Savala
Hugo Savala (left) would be following his brother Charlie into union if he made the switch (Photo: Getty)The newest face at the Rugby League World Cup, who was arguably England’s standout player at the tournament, was centre Hugo Savala. A goal-kicker who can play at five-eighth, halfback or in the centres, Savala shone against Tonga, France and Papua New Guinea.
Sydney-born and raised, the 24-year-old qualifies for England through his mother and also has a Scottish father. Savala also has strong roots in rugby union – his older brother Charlie is currently on the books at Glasgow Warriors.
Like many Australians, Savala grew up playing both rugby codes and attended the GPS School Scots College, where alumni include Wallabies such as Jack Maddocks, Darby Lancaster, Andrew Kellaway and Sam Carter.
Instead of following the 15-man code, he chose league and broke into the NRL with the Sydney Roosters in 2025. So far, he has 12 tries and kicked 22 goals in 43 NRL games, while racking up 19 goals in his three Tests for England.
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Comment: My six-point plan to fix rugby league in England Interview: Rugby league chief hits out at BBC’s ‘disappointing’ World Cup bid“Savala is a very, very tidy player,” Carney says. “He’s a very skilful player, he can kick goals.”
With his height, passing game and ability to shift positions across the backline, not to mention his existing knowledge of the sport and relative youth, Savala would be an asset for the England national rugby union side.
His older brother Charlie was called up to the Scotland squad in 2023 but never capped, and Hugo would be a fine choice for a similar call south of the border.
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