"A future England captain" - Lawrence Dallaglio 'disappointed' to see back row Tom Willis quit England squad

As a result of the move to France, Willis foregoes any future Test match involvement for England, with Dallaglio 'disappointed' by the upcoming transfer to the Top 14. If there was ever a former back row that could judge the resume of a potential England captain, Dallaglio casts a knowledgeable verdict following 22 matches at the helm of his country, throughout his 85 England appearances.

Dallaglio weighed in on Willis' decision to leave the PREM, and call time upon his relatively short-lived Test match career. The 2016 World Rugby Hall of Famer thought that Willis had the England eight jersey under wraps throughout the 2025 Guinness Men's Six Nations, before the news of his upcoming departure led to head coach Steve Borthwick removing him from his Autumn Series plans.

This will be the second stint for Willis in Bordeaux, as the 26-year-old enjoyed a brief run with UBB back in the 2022/23 season following the collapse of Wasps.

"It's disappointing, because I think Tom, he's tearing it up in the Premiership, his numbers are so far ahead." Dallaglio told RUCK at the EPCR season launch event in Teddington. "I think he was really settling into that international jersey. I think he would have been a mainstay in that England team, not just as a player, but I think, as a future England captain.

"So, that's parked for now. It is what it is, we don't all agree with it, but he's made his decision. He had a little stint at Bordeaux before, so they've obviously come in, and it seems a shame that a player has to choose between his financial security and his family and his England career. But that's the way it is at the moment."

An icon in the famous black and yellow of Wasps, Dallaglio revealed that he has kept personal tabs upon the careers of fellow club alumni Tom Willis and his brother Jack, who has a starring role with Toulouse.

"I know the boys well. They're smashing lads. There's a great family, very hard working lads and you know, their doing really, really well."

England hooker Jamie George revealed that he 'spoke at length' with his Saracens teammate, who is set to leave the club at the end of the campaign. George is understandably going to miss having the back row battering-ram on his side, however the former England captain revealed the move feels like the best foot forward for Willis.

Speaking on the Willis' decision, his Saracens and England teammate Jamie George had well wishes for the number eight, yet admitted that he hopes to not face the bulldozing back rower any time soon.

"I spoke to Tom at length about his decision, and absolutely, he feels it's the best thing for him to do for him and his family." George said, at the EPCR season launch event in Teddington. "I support that entirely, happiness is ultimately the most important thing here. So, for him to go over and do that, I think is great.

"I wouldn't want to play against him, because he's horrible to play against! He's an unbelievable player, he does things in a really unconventional way. He is so effective at what he does, and he will be fantastic for Bordeaux. What I've spoken to Tom about is how excited he is to finish the season strong with Sarries.

"He is very driven for us and for him to win something at Sarries. He's the sort of player, he's so influential on a team like ours. He's certainly a player that I much prefer being on my team than playing up against."

On the opposite side of the Channel, Bordeaux-Begles hard-man Lachlan Swinton is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Saracen. The seven-capped Australia international will make quite the back-row partner for Willis, for when the ex-England star arrives in southwestern France for the 2026/27 Top 14 season.

"He's an internationally class player." Swinton told RUCK. "He's been playing well in the PREM, so, I think he's going to continue that momentum, continue out through in the Top 14. I think it would suit his game very well, the sort of brand of rugby that's quite common in France."