'Victim of financial struggles' - Jack Willis signs new three-year Toulouse deal to cast doubt on England career
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Updated 13/04/2023 at 13:42 GMT+1
Jack Willis has extended his stay at Toulouse by signing a new three-year contract at the French club, which has cast his England international future into doubt. Willis signed for Toulouse after Wasps entered administration, and could be the victim of restrictions on English players playing outside of the Premiership. Willis hopes for a rule change as a flock of England stars head for Europe.
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England flanker Jack Willis has signed fresh terms at French club Toulouse, putting pen to paper on a new three-year deal.
His contract was due to expire after the current season following his move from Wasps in November, but his extension could mean he is banned from representing England.
Willis was given "exceptional circumstances" in order to play for England at the Six Nations tournament in the aftermath of his Wasps departure because of the English club entering administration, and he will be eligible for England’s World Cup squad in September.
However, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Premiership Rugby have a rule whereby players selected for England must compete in the Premiership, and this is expected to come back into effect following the World Cup.
During the Six Nations, Willis told the BBC he hoped there would be a change in the rule.
"At Wasps we were a victim of financial struggles," he said. "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."
David Ribbans (Toulon), Joe Marchant (Stade Francais) and Sam Simmonds (Montpellier) are all set to play abroad next season.
Willis has become a ever-present member of England head coach Steve Borthwick's squad, as first-choice openside flanker at the Six Nations.
He made his England debut in 2020, and has represented his country 10 times.
England’s World Cup campaign kicks off against Argentina on Saturday, September 9, and they will play Japan, Chile and Samoa in the group stages in addition to the opener against Michael Cheika’s side.
The 2023 Rugby World Cup, held in France, takes place between September 8 and October 28.
South Africa will be defending champion after they beat England in the 2019 final.
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