England’s newest New Zealander Josh Iosefa-Scott says he’s always dreamed of pulling on the red rose following his call-up to the England A squad.
Iosefa-Scott will himself become the latest Kiwi to don the famous red rose after being named in the England A match-day squad, following in the recent footsteps of Chandler Cunningham-South and Exeter club mate Ethan Roots; however he’s revealed he’s always dreamt of playing for England rather than his native New Zealand.
“My Dad is English, and I remember as a young kid I always told him that I’d like to play for England,” he exclusively told Rugby Nause News. “Obviously he said ‘but you’re born in New Zealand’, but it was something me and him always spoke about.”
The Waikato-born prop has established himself as a crucial cog of the Exeter Chiefs squad this season, as part of the weaponised front-row.
This domestic form has seen him called into the England A side to face Portugal, which the imposing forward says is a sign he’s heading in the ‘right direction’.
“It’s a huge stepping stone for me and my career,” he said. “You don’t know what might come of it, but obviously I’m heading in the right direction for what I want to do.
“Everyone who plays professional sports aspires to be an international. We want to play at the pinnacle and see what we can achieve in our career.”
Whilst his childhood dream was to play for his Father’s native land, he also revealed how his move to Exeter allowed him to test the waters in England: “I didn’t think I was going to be in England as soon as I was into my career. I thought I’d maybe play a little bit longer in New Zealand.”
He added: “Then COVID came about and there was there was nothing set in stone contractually for me; then my partner pushed me to take an offer here and see what comes of it.”
Josh Iosefa-Scott on the England A team
Iosefa-Scott’s call-up to the squad is his first taste of a senior international environment; however he isn’t alone in this.
Fellow Chiefs players Greg Fisilau, Rusi Tuima and Josh Hodge, as well as Harlequins prop Fin Baxter, Saracens centre Olly Hartley and Newcastle Falcons back-rower Guy Pepper are just a number of fresh faces that will are experiencing their maiden international camp this week, and Iosefa-Scott said there is a real buzz amongst the group.
“There’s a good bunch of lads here. There are guys at different stages of their career. I’m an older guy in the team; I’m probably the oldest here at the moment.
“Obviously there is a bit of excitement,” he said. “There are guys who are just starting out the career and coming out of that 20s programme and then there are guys at the other end who are just on the verge of making that England team. I think it’s a good exciting bunch here.”
Iosefa-Scott and the rest of the England A squad now turn their attention to World Cup darlings Portugal at a packed out Welford Road this afternoon. The game will be live streamed on the England Rugby YouTube channel.
