Nathan Hughes sent public message after Nations Championship omission

Former England No.8 Nathan Hughes has been assured “the door is always open” as he waits to make his Fiji debut despite having missed out on the final 32-strong Fiji Water Flying Fijians squad for the three matches in the Nations Championships.

Interim Fiji head coach Senirusi Seruvakula is preparing the powerful squad, with significant European-based talent, to face Wales in Cardiff on July 5, England at Everton’s ground on July 11 and Scotland at Murrayfield on July 18.

Hughes, who resurrected his career playing in Japan, has been impressing for Racing 92, who reached the Top 14 play-off semi-finals before losing to Toulouse 71-17.

Key players such as Hughes, who won 22 England caps, ex-France international Virimi Vakatawa, Apolosi Ranawai and Vilive Miramira are amongst a group who were excluded earlier due to injuries or limited game time but have since returned to action.

Hughes starts for the Barbarians against Wales this weekend alongside Vakatawa, who proved he still has running power for the Baabaas in an 80-31 defeat to the Springboks.

Fixture

Nations Championship

Fiji

06:10

4 Jul 26

Wales

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They are being monitored by Seruvakula and his coaching staff who said: “We put in the best 50 but there are other players outside that 50 who we are still monitoring and know that they are available.

That is why I’m making all the connections with all these players, talking to them regularly, telling them the expectations and how we are going to do these three matches in the Nations Championships.

“It’s a big year this year, we got these three games then the Pacific Nations Cup in Japan and then the remaining Nations Championships games in November.

“So, anything can happen and we want to start with the foundations, get the 32 in and after the first three Nations Championships matches, they might have to return to their clubs or get injured, so the door is always open.”

Fiji Nations Championship squad:

Hookers
Tevita Ikanivere
Sam Matavesi
Zuriel Togiatama

Props
Eroni Mawi
Atunaisa Sokobale
Peni Ravai
Luke Tagi
Tim Hoyt

Locks
Isoa Nasilasila
Mesake Vocevoce
Temo Mayanavanua
Tevita Ratuva

Loose Forwards
Lekima Tagitagivalu
Kitione Salawa
Elia Canakaivata
Leveni Botia
Pita-Gus Sowakula
Peceli Yato

Half Backs
Frank Lomani
Simione Kuruvoli
Sam Wye

First Five-Eighths
Caleb Muntz
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula

Midfielders
Josua Tuisova
Filimoni Botitu
Selestino Ravutaumada
Semi Radradra

Outsides
Jiuta Wainiqolo
Kalaveti Ravouvou
Vinaya Habosi
Salesi Rayasi
Vuate Karawalevu