Nathan Hughes relishes playing for England

Wasps back-row Nathan Hughes has assured that his commitment will always remain with England after qualifying to play for the country on residency.

The 25-year-old turned down an opportunity to play for Fiji - his country of birth - in the 2015 World Cup in an aspiration to represent England.

After playing for Auckland between 2009 and 2013, Hughes made his debut for the Aviva Premiership club Wasps and after fulfilling the criteria of residing in the country for three years, he was included in the England's Elite Player Squad and is now set to make his debut for the red rose team in the upcoming autumn internationals.

However, Hughes admitted that the process was not an easy one with many people around him questioning his decision.

"It wasn't easy. People said 'you're not from here, why do you want to play for England, you should be playing for your own country'," Hughes told Press Association Sport.

"But at the end of the day it's my decision and it's my choice, who I want to play for.

"I count this as home now. England is where I've played for more than three years and I'm comfortable in saying this is home.

"No disrespect, Fiji is always in my heart and my family will always be there. But this is where I play my rugby, this is my bread and butter, over here."

Hughes also revealed that representing England wasn't his initial goal when he joined Wasps in 2013 but as years went by his aspiration for the red rose team increased. He also thanked his family members and friends for backing him on his decision.

"At the end of the day, it's my decision," said Hughes.

"I had chats with family and friends, talking options and things, and they've backed me with my decision and I'm happy to make that decision, to play for England.

"It was a long three years. To be fair when I first came to Wasps that wasn't in my mind to play for England.

"But as the year went along and I got games under my belt, I felt good, then the second year I got going again, and I came into form.

"And then it came into my mind that England could potentially be one of my goals.

"My family and everyone's delighted, stoked and chuffed for the decision I've made as well.

"It is very exciting to have made the England squad, but the easy bit's done now. I'll have to battle really hard to keep making the cuts moving forward.

"If I can keep playing well and improving week on week then hopefully the rugby will do the talking."

Over the years, Wasps have made an incredible transformation from cash-strapped strugglers to one of the most formidable team in the English Premiership today. Currently, Wasps are in the second position in the Aviva Premiership 2016/17 season after winning five out of the six games while they started their European Champions Cup game with a resounding 82-14 victory over Zebre last week.

Hughes credited Wasps rugby director Dai Young for the transformation.

"I'm massively grateful to Dai for both the opportunity to play here and the way in which he's backed me and helped me improve," said Hughes.

"I've got to grab it with both hands and be grateful for the chance, because I know just how much people would want to be in my spot.

"My game's come on hugely in the time I've been here.

"This is my fourth season now with Wasps. We've moved on a lot in that time, it's a big change.

"I'm happy the club's moving in the right direction and I want to be a part of it.

"Dai's been telling us it's all up to us if we want to win silverware and I think the players he's brought in and signed are here to do the job and I want to be a part of that as well."