Super League star Gary Connolly, who will bow out of international rugby league in Saturday's final Test against the Kiwis, is set to launch a daring bid to play in next year's rugby union World Cup in Australia.
The 31-year-old Wigan centre or full-back will switch codes after the weekend, resuming his career with the Warriors' sister club Orrell, and revealed on Thursday that he has been sounded out by Ireland.
Connolly, who has Irish grandparents and played for Ireland in the 2000 rugby league World Cup, has held talks with former Wigan player Mike Ford, who is Ireland's defensive coach.
"I qualify for Ireland and there's always a chance of playing in the World Cup if I do well in rugby union," he said.
"That's what I will be aiming for and, if it comes, it will be something special. They're looking for players and I said I would be interested."
Ironically, Connolly was once sounded out by England coach Clive Woodward after impressing during a brief loan spell with Harlequins in 1996.