Move to England from Fiji was motivated financially - Nathan Hughes

Wasps back-row Nathan Hughes admitted that his move to switch to England from his birth country Fiji was motivated by financial grounds.

The 25-year-old was a part of the Auckland team for four years from 2009 and later joined Wasps in 2013. He became available to play for England in June based on residency grounds and made his debut for the red rose team off the bench in the Old Mutual Wealth series opener last weekend against the Springboks.

The players of the Fiji team, who Eddie Jones' men play next are earning £60 a day as compared to England where the players are granted £22,000 for each Test.

"I would love for Fiji to have more resources, but it is the way it is. They just have to deal with it and live on whatever they have got," Hughes said.

"There is a big difference and that is why people want to play rugby and how they survive.

"It is their bread and butter. That's the decision I made - I play my rugby to support my family and put shelter over their heads.

"Back home it has all been positive comments, everyone happy and proud of the decision I have made. Last week was exciting for me and my family."

Despite, the financial luring around, Hughes now feels more at home in England and described the 26 minutes of play he had while representing the red rose team against Springboks as one of the most "exciting" times of his career.

"I feel English now. I can say I'm an English person now. It was exciting to get the nod to come off the bench and represent England, I can say it's my country now," Hughes said.

"It was huge and it was emotional. I live here in England, it is where my family is now. This is home for me.

"I will not sing both anthems, I'll only be singing the national anthem, God Save the Queen.

"It has been a long time coming but now the time is here, I've got my first cap and I'm excited to get more."

England's upcoming autumn international fixture is against Fiji and Hughes is wary of what is ahead of them as they look to extend their winning streak to 12 games.

"I do understand it. If you're an Islander, and I have this opportunity to play against Fiji, you know what is coming. You take it and you have got to give it back. They'll know it's coming too," he said.

"It will be very special to make this first start against Fiji, but we've got a lot of class back-rowers in the squad, waiting for the opportunity. You just have to train well and when you get an opportunity, take it with both hands."