Englishman Jack Willis has addressed a scenario that could see the Toulouse flanker switch allegiance to Six Nations rivals Ireland.
Willis, who last represented England at the 2023 World Cup, qualifies to play for the Irish national team through his grandfather.
The 29-year-old has 14 Test caps and would be eligible to represent Ireland later this year following World Rugby’s mandatory three-year stand-down period.
However, speaking to former England internationals Ben Youngs and Dan Cole on their For the Love of Rugby podcast, Willis said such a move would come with similar complications to his current England situation.
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“I am quarter Irish and my granddad is fully Irish, but I think if it involves moving, then it puts me in the same situation that it would for England, the same rule,” Willis said.
Willis is the reigning Top 14 Player of the Year, but there have been rumours linking him to a transfer to Munster to ensure his eligibility for Ireland.
“There are always different things you can think about, but I think you can knacker yourself out if you’re always thinking about changing and moving and going here and there,” he said.
“Sometimes you’ve got to accept your reality, and now I feel my reality is pretty good and I’m pretty grateful for being part of this club.”
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Willis still feels that he has more to give in an England jersey, but has made peace with his decision to stay in France.
“I think there will always be part of me that will look back thinking I had more in me from an international point of view,” he said. “I don’t regret my decision to stay here… I love it here and I chose to stay.
“I think I could offer more now, but when I re-signed this long-term contract, I understood what came with that from an international perspective and you’ve got to make peace with that.”
Photo: Lionel Hahn/Getty Images
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