Toulouse has secured Jack Willis for an extended period with a new contract that could keep him at the French club until the summer of 2025.
The 26-year-old flanker played a significant role in the Red Rose pack during the recent Six Nations and has signed an agreement with Toulouse to remain with the team for at least another season, with an option to continue through the 2024-25 season as well.
That there are now doubts about his chances of playing for England after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Players who departed Wasps and Worcester were initially given a one-year exemption from the rule that stops England from picking players overseas.
Therefore, without an extension to the exemption or a less likely rule change, Wilis will be unable to play for England.
Jack Willis discusses possible rule change:
“I think Steve Borthwick coming out and supporting that just shows that there are lots of people behind the scenes that are working to try to find the right solution for English rugby moving forwards,” Willis told the Evening Standard Rugby Podcast.
“I think there are lots of avenues to explore, but the positive thing for me is that it seems that hopefully that’s on the table and at least being discussed, and we’ll see.”
He added: “I have made up my mind; I need to get the last couple of things finalised over the next couple of weeks, and make sure that all my family are on board,.
“Wherever we do end up you want to make sure you’ve considered every factor possible. There’s still a little bit of thinking to do, but we’re nearly there. I’ve absolutely loved my time here, and Toulouse have been so welcoming.”
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According to Willis, he thinks that the eligibility rules of England will undergo a modification, and this alteration will not be limited to him alone.
“You look at the salary cap [in the Premiership], where it’s heading, where it has been heading, how tight it is and how many players have been squeezed out of jobs. You then look at Wasps and Worcester; they didn’t have financially stable models,”
“Didn’t even call” – Five players who won’t play for England again under Steve Borthwick
Steve Borthwick has been brutal In his short time in charge of England, dropping a number of major stars ahead of the 2023 Six Nations.
Below, we look at three established stars who are unlikely to win another cap.
#1. Joe Marler
Age: 32
Position: Loosehead-prop
Caps: 83
Marler is unlikely to return to the England team during the 2023 Six Nations after he breached one of Steve Borthwick’s main rules.
The new England boss has a “no sh**talking policy” with England, whereby he expects players to behave appropriately on the pitch.
As a result, Marler was left out of the Six Nations squad despite his fine form with Harlequins this season.
Marler’s latest ban was for six weeks – four of them suspended – after accepting a charge regarding comments made to Bristol flanker Jake Heenan about his mother.
At this stage, an international return looks very unlikely.
DID YOU KNOW? Marler started his career at Haywards Heath RFC in Sussex where he played in the same side as fellow England international Billy Twelvetrees
