3 years ago
62
ARTICLE AD BOX
Jack Willis (scoring) played for Wasps for six years before the club went into administration in 2022Jack Willis has signed a new three-year deal with French club Toulouse, potentially putting his future with England in doubt.
The 26-year-old was allowed to play in the Six Nations because of "exceptional circumstances" surrounding Wasps.
The flanker will also be available for the World Cup this autumn, after which England's restriction on players based abroad is set to be reinstated.
The Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby have a rule whereby players selected for England are required to compete in the English Premiership.
However, Willis became head coach Steve Borthwick's first-choice openside flanker at the Six Nations, where England finished fourth, and is a regular starter for Toulouse.
Willis spoke during the 2023 Six Nations of his hopes for a potential rule change, telling the Rugby Union Daily podcast: "At Wasps we were a victim of financial struggles.
"There's lots of clubs feeling that same pressure [and] that pressure needs to give in some shape or form.
"Some of those higher earners, maybe that is a solution to look to relieve that pressure, that they are earning their salaries abroad.
"There are lots of things to consider and it is not the most straightforward solution but I definitely think it is something that should be on the table in those discussions."
English (US) ·