JACK WILLIS HAS suggested he is open to switching allegiance and playing for Ireland, amid his ongoing England exile.
The 29-year-old made the last of his 15 England appearances at the 2023 Rugby World Cup but has been unable to add to the tally as he features for a club abroad.
On Monday, Willis said he was at ease with missing out on England selection after retaining the French Top 14 player of the season award having guided Toulouse to a record-equalling fourth straight title.
Willis was named player of the match in June’s final as his side held off Montpellier to repeat Bordeaux’s feat from 1904 to 1907 and Toulouse’s success between 1994 and 1997.
He pipped Bordeaux-Begles fly-half Matthieu Jalibert and Clermont’s former New Zealand playmaker Harry Plummer to the title.
Advertisement
Willis last played for England at the 2023 World Cup. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
As one of the form players in world rugby, Willis would be a strong addition to any Test squad, and while the England door remains closed the back row has not ruled out the possibility of playing for Ireland.
Willis also qualifies for Ireland through his Belfast-born grandfather, but like England’s RFU, the IRFU have selection laws restricting players based outside the country.
The IRFU last made an exception to that rule during Johnny Sexton’s two-year stint at Racing 92 from 2013-2015.
“I’m a quarter Irish,” Willis said.
“But they have the same rules as England.
“You need to do some digging, that’s your job, you find the way (around the rules),” he jokingly challenged reporters.
The former Wasps player has served a three-year stand-down period from the England squad, so is eligible to play for another country.
“When you make a decision, you have to take responsibility for it, you know what you sacrifice,” Willis added.
“It’s something I still want to do, but rules are rules.”
Willis is under contract with Toulouse until 2029.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
35 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Toulouse star Jack Willis open to playing for Ireland
JACK WILLIS HAS suggested he is open to switching allegiance and playing for Ireland, amid his ongoing England exile.
The 29-year-old made the last of his 15 England appearances at the 2023 Rugby World Cup but has been unable to add to the tally as he features for a club abroad.
On Monday, Willis said he was at ease with missing out on England selection after retaining the French Top 14 player of the season award having guided Toulouse to a record-equalling fourth straight title.
Willis was named player of the match in June’s final as his side held off Montpellier to repeat Bordeaux’s feat from 1904 to 1907 and Toulouse’s success between 1994 and 1997.
He pipped Bordeaux-Begles fly-half Matthieu Jalibert and Clermont’s former New Zealand playmaker Harry Plummer to the title.
As one of the form players in world rugby, Willis would be a strong addition to any Test squad, and while the England door remains closed the back row has not ruled out the possibility of playing for Ireland.
Willis also qualifies for Ireland through his Belfast-born grandfather, but like England’s RFU, the IRFU have selection laws restricting players based outside the country.
The IRFU last made an exception to that rule during Johnny Sexton’s two-year stint at Racing 92 from 2013-2015.
“I’m a quarter Irish,” Willis said.
“But they have the same rules as England.
“You need to do some digging, that’s your job, you find the way (around the rules),” he jokingly challenged reporters.
The former Wasps player has served a three-year stand-down period from the England squad, so is eligible to play for another country.
“When you make a decision, you have to take responsibility for it, you know what you sacrifice,” Willis added.
“It’s something I still want to do, but rules are rules.”
Willis is under contract with Toulouse until 2029.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Ireland Jack Willis Rugby Sign Him Up Stade Toulousain