0
FORMER Sydney Roosters rugby league centre Ryan Cross will launch his rugby union career before Christmas as part of a star-studded World XV taking on South Africa in England.
The Daily Telegraph learned last night Cross has accepted an invitation to play in the December 3 clash in Leicester and is only awaiting clearance from the Australian Rugby Union to confirm his appearance.
Just three months after ending a nine-year term in the NRL, Cross is planning to walk in the footsteps of another high-profile convert who returned to the game of his schoolboy days surrounded by the elite of the 15-man code.
Mat Rogers, after quitting rugby league, played for the Barbarians against Australia in Cardiff in November 2001.
He debuted for New South Wales Waratahs in Super 12 the following February.
It is understood Western Force, which has recruited Cross for next year's Super 14, has no objections to its prized signing making the dash to the UK for a clash that will close the Springboks' tour.
But the ARU is indicating it wants to view a full list of Australian invitees before giving its approval for Cross to take part in the match.
"Ryan is very excited about the prospect of playing in a game of that stature," his manager John Fordham said last night.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html