Hopes of luring Morris twins to play for England denied by governing body

Josh and Brett Morris hold up the trophy after winning the International Test match between the Australian Kangaroos and the New Zealand Kiwis in 2012. Photo / Getty

Wayne Bennett's hopes of luring Brett and Josh Morris to play for England appear to be over with rugby league's international body shutting down the move.

Bennett has reportedly shown interest in having the Morris twins, as well as former NSW State of Origin teammate Trent Hodkinson, switch their allegiances to England using the grandfather rule.

However the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) says players can't swap between Australian, New Zealand and England.

"Players from tier-one countries cannot move between each other," RLIF official Tas Baitieri told News Corp.

"They can only move upwards or downwards (between tier-one and tier-two nations)."

However Baitieri's comments fly directly in the face of the eligibility rules posted on the organisation's website, which states players can swap between nations once between World Cups, and makes no mention of tier-one and tier-two countries.