“Players of the caliber of Henry Arundell consistently attract attention. The English rugby union standout, known for his prowess as an outside back, has reportedly declined offers from both the Wests Tigers and The Dolphins, opting to stay in the 15-man code. Despite being a sought-after talent set to become a free agent before the mid-season transfer deadline on June 30, recent reports suggesting Arundell’s interest in a potential move to rugby league have been refuted.
News Corp had initially hinted at Arundell’s curiosity about switching codes, especially considering his performance in the recent Rugby World Cup. While multiple rugby league clubs were said to be keen on acquiring his services, Mail Sport now asserts that Arundell has rejected offers from the Wests Tigers and The Dolphins.
Arundell’s agent, Ryan Shahin of Twenty Sports Group, clarified the situation, stating, “Players of Henry’s caliber generate almost constant interest. While we have received inquiries from NRL sides recently, Henry has not entertained or considered these offers in any way, as we made clear in our response.” Shahin dismissed reports of a potential move to rugby league as false, emphasizing Arundell’s excitement for the upcoming season with Racing 92 and his aspirations with the England team.
Currently under a short-term one-year contract with Racing 92 in France’s Top 14 competition, Arundell could explore a code-switch in the 2024 or 2025 seasons. His recent standout performance, including a hat-trick for Racing 92, adds to his impressive track record, having scored seven tries in ten matches for England. Despite playing only two games in the World Cup, Arundell made a significant impact, scoring five tries in his debut match against Chile. His notable career also includes a stint with the London Irish, where he was named the Young Player of the Season in 2021-22 and earned recognition as ‘one to watch’ in the 2022 Six Nations Under-20s Championship.”
