"Rules should be changed" - James Haskell calls for RFU to axe foreign selection 'madness'

Haskell expressed how he sees no return in sight for either Willis brother, despite the hope of a late comeback to the PREM to bolster England's 2027 Rugby World Cup hopes. Haskell expects that both back-row stars will remain across the English channel until the RFU change their selection stance upon foreign-based players.

Currently, any player who plies their trade for a club outside of England, is ineligible for selection for an international cap, whilst nations such as Scotland, South Africa and Italy currently buck this trend. Speaking to Heart Bingo, Haskell does not expect to see either Tom Willis or Top 14 Player of the Season Jack Willis, back wearing the red rose upon their chest any time soon.

"He's [Tom Willis] going to the European champions [Bordeax-Begles]. I think his brother Jack's carving up and was just named Player of the Year, for Toulouse. He's [Tom Willis] going to Bordeaux. I'm not sure how keen he was on the England environment or where it was, but he's got to look after his future."

"He's got to look after him, his family will enjoy his rugby, and I think he wants to go and do that. I think the rules should be changed so all players who play in France can play for England. I think it's madness. I think it's draconian, and I think it's becoming beyond silly because rugby's struggling. "

Haskell expressed how you 'couldn't have paid him' to move back to the PREM, if the former England star was in the lucrative position of Jack or Tom Willis. Like Haskell, the two Willis brothers were once both stalwarts of Wasps, as the two back rowers routinely packed down the black and yellow scrum.

However, when the Coventry club collapsed in October 2022 post-Covid pandemic, Jack Willis found a new home at Stade Toulousain, whilst Tom Willis was plucked out of free agency by Bordeaux-Begles. Jack would sign a contract extension that ended his England career, with his final Test cap coming in the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool stage win over Chile. Tom returned to the PREM for a two-year run with Saracens, yet the younger Willis brother will soon return to France, in a move that Haskell completely understands.

"No, you couldn't pay me to leave Toulouse to come back to the Premiership. If I was Jack, because, you know, they win absolutely everywhere and the weather's decent and he's surrounded by world-class players. He's won 2 European Cups and 2 Premierships - there’s absolutely no way you come back to the Premiership unless you can be guaranteed to win. I don't see it happening. I think there's absolutely no reason. I'd like to see him play for England. I think he's one of the best number seven in the world, but they won't do it until they change the rules."

Tom Willis' intentions to return to Bordeaux-Begles was confirmed by Saracens in October, with the back-row promptly left off the list for an England camp involvement. The 26-year-old had established a solid foundation in England's number eight shirt, with Steve Borthwick forced to change tack as the head coach looks ahead to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Borthwick has since unleashed Harlequins wrecking-ball Chandler Cunningham-South at the back of the scrum, with break-out Bath talent Guy Pepper also enjoying a solid England run this current Autumn Series. Haskell expressed how he's been impressed by the performances from the dread-locked juggernaut and the blue, black and white bruiser.

"I think it's a good move for him [Tom Willis]. It's sad not to see him play. I think Chandler Cunningham-Sound sounds great. He was really industrious against Fiji, interested to see where he starts. He has a different dimension, so yeah, it's a shame with Tom, but you've got to make the decisions and unfortunately the rules are you can't be picked at the moment. I'm hoping they will be changed.

"He's [Guy Pepper] an exciting player. We've got a lot of good back row players, and I think that he obviously got the nod for the way he played against Argentina in the summer tour, so I'm excited. I think he's got a lot of potential. People are talking to him like he's like a Richie McCaw-esque kind of player, so I'm excited to see him deliver. I think he's had a couple of good games recently. I think he's still building into that international level and what's required and the level of competition, but he's doing well."

Speaking of McCaw, England are closing in on kick-off against the Greatest of All Time's former side, with the All Blacks soon to take to the Allianz Stadium for a hotly anticipated Quilter Nations Series clash. England have not beaten New Zealand since the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-finals, with a draw and three defeats following since that iconic clash in Japan. Whilst history favours the All Blacks this afternoon, Haskell could well consider England as the in-form favourites, with Borthwick's men on a nine-match winning run of blistering performances.

"I think you can always consider yourself [as favourites]. But, it's difficult against the All Blacks because we're coming off nine games, we haven't beaten the All Blacks for a period of time. There's always that sort of underdog edge, but I think to be honest with you, I don't think a lot of these guys [England players] are fearful of playing New Zealand.

"I think because of what they've gone through, the respect is there, but the aura is not quite there. They're not that invincible team that they once were, so I think there'll be a lot of excitement. I think they can 100% beat New Zealand, they'll have to be very good at doing it, and they're going to have to really manage what they're doing, otherwise they're going to be in trouble."

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