"Ideal world" - Anthony Watson future in doubt following latest interview

Saturday, 19 August 2023 at 11:35

byRugby Rucker

England winger Anthony Watson's future remains uncertain with concrete offers on the table from Premiership clubs.

Watson is listed as “unattached” in the latest England squad update with the 29-year-old being paid directly by the RFU through to the end of the World Cup.

“I’m really not sure what I would have done. Being brutally honest, I would probably have had to go to France,” he revealed to The Guardian.

“But my desire has always been to play for England for as long as I can. To represent my country has been my dream since I was a kid. I don’t want that taken away because of things out of my control. As I say, I’m very grateful a solution has been put in place.”

In an ideal scenario, he envisions reuniting with the Tigers following the World Cup; however, he has not entered into any agreements thus far.

However, that may not be possible due to salary cap constraints.

He added: “I’ve loved it at Leicester. It’s a great rugby club. I feel like they have a drive to improve and win that I haven’t really been around for too long, apart from when I’ve been with England.”

RUGBY QUIZ:

Matt Dawson’s all-time England XV:

BACK-THREE:

15. Jason Robinson
14. Rory Underwood
11. Ben Cohen

CENTRES:

13. Jeremy Guscott
12. Manu Tuilagi

Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

HALFBACKS:

10. Jonny Wilkinson
9. Dikie Jeeps

FRONT-ROW:

1. Gary Pearce
2. Steve Thompson
3. Jason Leonard

SECOND-ROW:

4. Maro Itoje
5. Martin Johnson

Maro Itoje of the Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK