Nathan Hughes

Nathan William Jeremy Hughes (born 10 June 1991 in Lautoka, Fiji) is a Fijian born rugby footballer who plays for Bristol Bears and England. He plays as a flanker, a number 8 or at lock.

Career

In 2009, Hughes was scouted by Kelston Boys' High School's Athens Henare, the head of department for P.E for Kelston, when they toured Fiji in 2008. He went to NZ on a partial scholarship. In his first year, Hughes scooped the team player of the year award. He also made the Auckland Under-18 team and he followed it up by making the Auckland Under-20 team while still playing for his 1st XV, Kelston Boys High School and because of his superb performance, he joined the Auckland High Performance Academy.

In January 2012, he returned to Fiji to take part in the invitational Uprising 7s missing the New Zealand 7s team trials for a chance to represent Fiji. He played for the Auckland Invitational side coached by former Fiji 15s coach, Wayne Pivac. He also helped his Auckland side win the NZ 7s Championships in 2012.

Nathan made his debut off the bench for Auckland against Otago in the 2011 ITM Cup.

In February 2013, he was selected by the then Fiji 15s coach, Inoke Male to join the Fiji Warriors team for the 2013 Pacific Rugby Cup. He was named the Vice-captain of the warriors team which was skippered by current Montpellier Hérault Rugby winger, Nemani Nadolo.

In March 2013, he signed for English Premiership side, Wasps.

Hughes has had strong performances in the 2013–14 Premiership season and has considered his international allegiance as he is currently eligible for Fiji, Samoa and also England in 2016.

In March 2015, during the 2014–15 season, he was controversially red carded (a career first) in the game against Northampton Saints after a shin collided with the head of George North after he scored a try, knocking him unconscious. He was handed a 3-week suspension but after an appeal was lodged, he was cleared. His red card and three-week ban were both judged to have been predicated more on the resulting injury to North than the intent or otherwise of the challenge.

In January 2019, it was announced that Hughes had signed a three-year contract with Bristol Bears beginning from the start of the 2019–20 season.

International career

In August 2016, Hughes was named in the provisional 45-man elite player squad (EPS) England squad for their pre-season training camp. On 30 September 2016 he was subsequently named in the training squad for the Autumn Internationals.

In November 2016, he made his debut for England off the bench against South Africa replacing Tom Wood in the 53rd minute.

International tries

As of 7 July 2019

Personal life

Hughes, who was born and raised in Lautoka played hockey most of his childhood. He attended St. Thomas High School in Lautoka and he represented them nationally in field hockey. His uncle, Asaeli Hughes, is a former dual international having represented Fiji in both basketball and 15s rugby. His father is the former Fiji hockey rep, William Hughes.