Rugby World Cup 2019: Willi Heinz says ‘I don’t need to defend myself’ following Danny Care loyalty criticism

New Zealand-born Heinz was selected in England’s 31-man World Cup squad ahead of Care, who claimed that there is no loyalty shown to players who have developed through the English system

Willi Heinz believes he does not need to defend his place in the England squad following criticism from scrum-half rival Danny Care, who took aim at foreign-born players beating homegrown ones to Rugby World Cup selection.

Care missed out on selection in in Eddie Jones’s squad, having fallen out of favour with the England head coach over the last 12 months, with New Zealand-born Heinz joining Ben Youngs in the squad in Japan.

It triggered a stern response from Care who expressed his views that players who have emerged through the English system are not being shown any loyalty when it comes to the national team, but Heinz – who found himself targeted by questions of his suitability to play for England when he was first called up two years ago – brushed off Care’s comments.

“I haven’t seen everything but I’ve heard little bits and pieces about it,” Heinz said in Miyazaki, where England are preparing for their opening World Cup match against Tonga next week.

“Look, at the end of the day, do I feel like I have to defend myself to the team? No, because no one in the team is asking questions about me on that side of things and at the end of the day the rules are the rules.

“I’m really excited to be here, I feel really privileged and honoured to represent England and I’m just excited about contributing what I can to the team in whatever way it is going forward. All I can say is that my absolute commitment is with England.”

Care spoke out following his omission from the squad, although the Harlequins scrum-half has since undergone surgery on his ankle and faces three months on the sideline.

"Players are just pawns. You look at it and is there much loyalty in it? Maybe not," he told the BBC Rugby Union Weekly podcast. "Some are given an easier route than those who worked a fair bit harder.

“I started playing rugby at five in England, dreamed of playing for my country in a World Cup. You do all the hard work, you stay in England, don't look to play for a club abroad to make more money because you want to play for England and win a World Cup - now that is not going to happen.

"A lot of players who have done well for whatever country and it comes to the World Cup, the pinnacle, where you hope that loyalty and hard work is paid back and it is taken away from you. That is the disappointment. That is why is hurts so much."