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Jack Willis is about to all but end his England career
By Neil Fissler
Jack Willis is closing in on signing a new four-year deal with Toulouse, which will keep him with the back-to-back Top 14 champions until the summer of 2029. The 27-year-old, who was a member of the all-conquering Toulouse squad that won the Top 14 and Investec Champions Cup double last season, is due to be out of contract at the end of this season.
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The former England international openside, who can operate anywhere across the back row, did have a clause giving Toulouse the option of extending his contract by a year.
They had until December to take up the option, but there was never any chance of Willis, who was signed in November 2022 after Wasps went into liquidation, leaving the club he has represented 40 times.
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Willis admitted in a TNT Sports interview that as much as he misses playing with younger brother Tom, who is now at Saracens and with whom he has been linked, he is loving life in La Ville Rose too much.
“I miss so much about Wasps every day. I miss playing with my best mates. I miss playing with my brother. But this group is amazing and they have welcomed me in so well. I feel part of it here, from top to bottom, everyone in the club, not just the boys. To play in games like this this is what it’s about. I love it. I have loved it and I’m loving it.
The news that Willis is close to committing his long-term future to Toulouse will confirm Steve Borthwick’s worst fears as he will continue to be ineligible for Test selection. Willis has won 14 England caps, but the RFU will only pick players for the national team if they are playing in the Gallagher Premiership.
He had a dispensation after leaving Wasps, but that ended after the Rugby World Cup last year. With the new deal set to end when Willis is 32, it will all but end any prospect of him playing for England again.
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He can still play for the Lions next summer. Best 7 in World Rugby, so he should be in the squad. Owen Farrell will be in from Racing92, so Willis should be in too.
Can't blame him, particularly after what happened to Mercer.
Not really anything like Mercer. Mercer doesn't fit the mould of an England number 8. Willis would be absolutely nailed on in the 7 shirt, first name on the sheet.
I also don't blame him though, getting paid big bucks to play in the best club side in the world in the South of France. No brainer.
He also suffered two catastrophic knee injuries, one on England duty, and then saw Wasps go bust, possibly leaving him out of pocket. Whilst I would love to see Jack Willis in an England shirt again, like you, I cannot blame him for making the decision that it seems he has. Short professional career = maximise what you can from it, when you can.
Good on him! I wouldn't say he's calling quits on his international career. More England are calling quits on him since the archaic rule does that.
I agree this is a good decision for him, but he is calling quits on his England career.
The rules are in place, he knows they are in place, and he is deciding to rule himself out.