The man who has been tasked with replacing Owen Farrell at Saracens next season, Crusaders fly-half Fergus Burke insists he would be open to representing Scotland in the future.
Burke qualifies for Scotland through his grandfather, but opted to sign for the six-times Premiership winners and three-time European champions rather than move to Glasgow Warriors when he was presented with the choice earlier this year.
He explained how the move came about.
“At the start of the year I didn’t have too many intentions of going elsewhere but the Glasgow stuff came up, then Saracens came along at the same kind of time. I looked into it and decided it [Saracens] was the best thing for me.”
Burke knows he’s got big shoes to fill as he replaces former England captain Farrell, who is off to Racing 92.
“I have been through something similar this year, although I have been injured a bit, with Richie Mo’unga leaving the Crusaders,” Burke said.
“I’m my own player but I’ve got ultimate respect for what Owen has done at Saracens. He’ll probably go down as the greatest ever so I’m looking forward to joining the club.”
READ MORE: Rob Robertson: Scotland should hand Saracens new boy the keys to number 10
Burke helped the Barbarians to a 45-32 win over Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday afternoon and reflected on the opportunity to join the famous invitational side.
“It has been an awesome week,” Burke said, speaking in the build-up to that match.
“The coolest bit is that I’ve been in the same team for the past five years and it is very structured. You come to a team like this and it’s very instinctive and another side of rugby. "That’s what I’ve enjoyed the most and making connections with people I’m potentially going to be playing against in the years to come.”
Moving to Saracens might suggest the 24-year-old, who has represented New Zealand at under-20 level, fancies his chances of playing international rugby for England.
Asked if he's keeping the door open with both England and Scotland, he replied: "Yeah for sure."
One of Burke's age-grade international colleagues, back-row Taine Plumtree, has already made an international switch and represents Wales at senior level.
While Burke hasn’t phoned his former team-mates to discuss Test rugby, he acknowledged it is good to have options.
“A lot of boys come over here and make it work,” he said.
“It’s exciting, it’s a different challenge and I’m looking forward to it.
“I have got big ambitions to play international rugby. First thing’s first for me is getting over here and playing well for Saracens. Whatever happens in that space happens.”
Read the rules here