Young chooses England in boost for World Cup hosts
Newcastle Knights speedster Dominic Young is set to be among up to eight NRL stars in the England squad for the World Cup after deciding to represent the host nation over his Jamaican heritage.
Young had previously declared his intention to play for Jamaica alongside brother Alex after a meeting with dual code superstar Jason Robinson, who is involved with the Reggae Warriors.
Born and raised in England, Young qualifies for Jamaica through his grandparents George and Joyce.
However, a break-out second season in the NRL has put him firmly on Shaun Wane's radar for the World Cup and the 21-year-old confirmed he was now committed to England.
"I want to play for England," Young told The Newcastle Herald. "I've had a few positive talks with Shaun Wane. That's the direction I want to go in and I'm hopeful I'll end up.
"To play with my brother is something I've not done before. It is really hard to turn the Jamaica opportunity down but I just felt like, at the end of the day, I'm born in England, I'm English.
"The opportunity to potentially win a World Cup, especially in front of friends and family, is special."
Photo: Knights star Dom Young is set to play for England (NRL Photos)
Young's decision is the second significant pay-off from Wane's recent trip to Australia, with Sydney Roosters star Victor Radley stunning many by turning his back on the opportunity to play State of Origin to play for his father's English heritage.
"It was a great trip to Australia," Wane said. "I am really pleased with both players. They are great athletes and very skilful."
Brisbane Broncos centre Herbie Farnworth is set to be the third NRL-based player to make his England debut during the World Cup, despite being sidelined since June with a pectoral injury.
"I will have no qualms with Herbie joining us for the World Cup. I can't wait to coach him," Wane told AAP last week. "While his injury was serious I know that Herbie is an absolute professional and looks after himself so well.
"I met with him in Australia at the Magic Round weekend and was really impressed with his maturity. What I really like is that he had the guts to go to Australia as a young kid, tough it out and go on to shine at Brisbane."
Forwards Tom Burgess (Rabbitohs), Luke Thompson (Bulldogs), Elliott Whitehead and Ryan Sutton (Raiders) are expected to be in Wane's squad.
Photo: Broncos centre Herbie Farnworth (NRL Photos)
Roosters centre Oliver Gildart, who made a late season switch from Wests Tigers, is another NRL-based player who may come under consideration by Wane.
However, snaring Young is a major coup for Wane as he is one of the fastest players in the NRL, clocking 38km/h in the round 18 match against Manly, and stands at 200cm tall.
After scoring 13 tries in 20 matches for the Knights, Young was praised by Knights coach Adam O'Brien, who said he had been the club's best back this season and was sorely missed while sidelined for a month with a knee injury
"He’s been unbelievable," O’Brien said. "When he first came out he was a young school kid. He moved out of home all the way to Australia.
"His first summer was a real shock to him but his second summer he did a 180. It’s like his twin came out, he handled everything so much better. He’s been arguably our best performer in the backs all year. He’s been consistent.
"He had that injury and we missed him terribly. To have a bloke who was just a school kid not that long ago and was only playing against school kids and then to really miss him in the team… That says a lot about him.
“I know he’s been picked in the England squad and he thoroughly deserves that."
