Star flanker Jack Willis has signed a new long-term contract with Top 14 side Toulouse in what is a blow for England head coach Steve Borthwick.
The openside joined the French giants in 2022 on a short-term agreement after Wasps entered administration but later extended his deal until 2026, which ruled him out of Test selection after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Willis has now committed his future to Les Rouge et Noir on a contract which reportedly takes him beyond the next global tournament in Australia.
‘Massive honour’
“It is a massive honour to have re-signed at Toulouse,” the 28-year-old said.
“I have made so many incredible memories on and off the field with this team in 2024 and I can’t wait for many more!
“I feel so grateful for the welcome I have had here since day one from the supporters, staff and most of all the players and that made the decision to sign on for longer even easier.
“I look forward to making more memories with this group and seeing what we can achieve in the years to come.”
It is understood that Willis has agreed a four-year deal with Toulouse which will take him to July 2029.
However, it is also being widely reported that there is a break clause for the 2027/28 season that would allow him to join an English club and thus enable him to be eligible for the World Cup.
Jack Willis weighs up England future after being ‘incredibly grateful’ to Toulouse
Openside flanker is one position where the Red Rose are incredibly strong, but there is no doubt that Willis would be in contention to start should he be available.
Since joining the star-studded Les Rouge et Noir, the former Wasps flanker has shone, helping them to the Champions Cup and Top 14 double in 2023/24.
He has quickly become a fans favourite with his form leading to calls from several observers that the RFU should lift their ban on selecting overseas-based players.
England ambitions
It is a law which continues to cause debate and one that Willis has struggled to come to terms with, telling Planet Rugby earlier this year: “To be honest, I don’t think I’ll ever be fully at peace with it.
He added: “If I’m honest, change doesn’t look likely at the moment, and I have to get my head around that.
“Things change at different points, and my situation might. But as things stand, this is where I’m at.”
Bernard Jackman: Jack Willis ‘proved’ Test match credentials, the RFU should ‘make an exception’
Willis also revealed that while he is desperate to earn more England caps, he is very content in the south of France.
“In order to be happy in life you can’t always be looking over the fence at the next thing. You’ve got to be at peace with the decisions you make,” he said.
“If you spend time worrying about what you haven’t got, if that’s the mentality you have, it can become quite exhausting.
“Obviously, I will always want more England caps. To play for England is incredible. I’ve got some incredible memories doing that.
“But the most important thing for me is to focus on playing as well as I can for Toulouse and see where that gets me. And to focus on how lucky I am to be in the position I’m in.”
READ MORE: Jack Willis doubts he will ‘ever be fully at peace’ with England ineligibility
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