Anthony Watson has been made an offer by Castres and is likely to join the growing number of England players moving to France next season.
This comes despite the fact that the British & Irish Lions star signed a one-year deal with Leicester Tigers last summer and took a pay cut after leaving Bath. If he accepts the offer from Castres, he may end his international career.
According to The Rugby Paper, the Top 14 side has offered Watson a two-year deal, although they have struggled this season and currently sit in 11th place in the table.
It is expected that more players will also make the move to France.
Athleticism and pace are the shining assets of Watson’s game. He represented England U16 and U18 sides and was vice-captain at his school, St George’s College in Weybridge.
A newcomer to England’s squad for the 2014 Six Nations Championship, his debut came from the bench against New Zealand at Twickenham in November that year and he also started on the right wing against South Africa, Samoa and Australia that month.
He achieved his “ultimate ambition” in 2017, when making his debut and scoring a try for The British & Irish Lions in the opening tour match against New Zealand Provincial Barbarians at Whangarei. His first Lions Test was against the All Blacks at Auckland three weeks later and he also started the other two matches at Wellington and Eden Park.
Anthony recovered from long-term injury to make England’s 2019 Rugby World Cup squad and was a key part of the run to the final.
“It’s personal” – 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
