England star's future up in air as RFU yet to rule on French deal

Henry Arundell’s future in the England Test team has been thrown into uncertainty following the confirmation of his move to Racing 92. The winger is hopeful of remaining eligible for national selection, but the circumstances surrounding his departure from London Irish have raised doubts over his international future.

While Wasps players were allowed to be chosen by England during the season due to their club’s mid-season collapse, the situation with London Irish is different. The Premiership side’s demise occurred at the end of the season, and it’s unclear whether Arundell’s move to Racing will create a roadblock, not least if he had alternative options to stay in the Gallagher Premiership.

The break-out star has been named in England’s Rugby World Cup training squad, indicating that he is still in the shake-up for a berth at the Rugby World Cup. However, his eligibility for the 2024 Six Nations remains a question mark.

According to The Telegraph, the young winger is actively seeking a dispensation that would allow him to represent England in the tournament. The outcome of these discussions will ultimately determine Arundell’s ability to don the England jersey in the immediate future.

𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟐𝟑-𝟐𝟒 : dans la famille Ciel et Blanc, je demande un arrière… 🐆

𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐥

Welcome Henry ! pic.twitter.com/LzjHH3RnyB

— Racing 92 (@racing92) July 7, 2023

Toulouse flanker Jack Willis is also named in England training squad but will not be elligible to play for England in next year’s Guinness Six Nations after he signed on for a second stint at the Top 14 giants. He penned as short term deal with the French side when Wasps went under, but extended his contract which effectively put a stop to his Test careeer post Rugby World Cup 2023.

“Steve Borthwick coming out and supporting that shows there are lots of people behind the scenes working to try to find the right solution for English rugby moving forwards,” Willis told the Evening Standard Rugby Podcast back in March, when still hopeful of future England selection.

“There are lots of avenues to explore. The positive thing for me is that it seems that hopefully that is on the table and at least being discussed. We will see.”

Willis also said that the current financial climate of the Premiership offers a compelling case for the RFU to change its position, even though figureheads such as Exeter boss Rob Baxter are vehemently against lifting the restriction.

Whether the RFU make an exception from the current policy for Arundell remains to be seen.

additional reporting PA