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
Joe Marler of England Rugby during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#2. Billy Vunipola
Age: 30
Position: Number 8
Caps: 64
Borthwick excluded Powerhouse No8 Vunipola from the Six Nations squad, opting for Alex Dombrandt from Harlequins and Sam Simmons from Exeter as specialists.
Vunipola made a return to the England squad last summer under Eddie Jones and played in the autumn Test series.
However, in Borthwick's first selection, he made significant changes, resulting in Vunipola being among several experienced players left out.
With Zach Mercer set to return to England this summer, yet another recall for Billy is starting to look very unlikely.
DID YOU KNOW? He is the nephew of two other former international players, Manu and 'Elisi Vunipola, who both represented Tonga in the 1990s
Billy Vunipola of England in possession ahead of Kazuki Himeno of Japan during the Autumn International Series match between England and Japan at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 12th November 2022 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
#3. Danny Care
Age: 36
Position: Scrum-half
Caps: 87
Returning to the England squad in the summer for the tour of Australia, Borthwick reported told Care that he had 'no chance' of a recall as he looks to take the team in a different direction.
Danny Care of England arriving before the six Nations Championship match, between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, London , UK, on the 17th March 2017. (Photo:Dean Lancaster/PPAUK)
#4.Jack Nowell
Age: 29
Position: Winger
Caps: 51
With a move to France pending, the Exeter Chiefs flier went from vice-captain in the Autumn to being completely out of the squad for the Six Nations, reportedly without a phone call.
Jack Nowell of Exeter Chiefs during the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester Rugby at Sandy Park, Exeter on 28th January 2023. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#5. Jonny May
Age: 32
Position: Winger
Caps: 72
The Gloucester speedster, who is England's second top try-scorer of all-time with 35, was another veteran who was unceremoniously axed by Borthwick. h
With injury problems becoming more and more frequent, May will need a significant upturn in form to have any chance of a recall.
Ollie Hassell-Collins is primed to start for England this weekend with the likes of Max Malins, Adam Radwan, Cadan Murley and Henry Arundell all vying for a place in the England team.
DID YOU KNOW? studied at Hartpury College, where he was a member of Hartpury College R.F.C., coached by Allan Lewis in a team that included future Wales and Lions wing Alex Cuthbert
Luke Cowan-Dickie of England, Kyle Sinckler of England, Jonny May of England and David Ribbans of England looks dejected after losing during the Autumn Nations International Series match between England and South Africa at Twickenham, London on 26 November 2022 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
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