Jack Willis has won the Top 14 award for the second year running, and he is not letting anyone forget that he wants to play for England again. The back row moved to Toulouse in November 2022 after Wasps went out of business, and he has spent the last three years winning trophies, titles and individual honours in French club rugby. Now he is asking reporters to find him a way back into the Test side.
Joining Toulouse
Willis joined Toulouse in November 2022 after Wasps went out of business. His move was unusual, because he was initially given dispensation to keep playing for England given the exceptional circumstances. That lasted through his most recent cap, which came in a pool-stage hammering of Chile during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
But Willis chose to stay in French club rugby, and that decision closed the door on his England career. The rules say what the rules say, and Willis knows it. He has been a huge success across the Channel, winning a fourth French title in June’s Top14 final win over Montpellier and adding a Champions Cup crown he lifted in 2024.
Repeating the Award
Willis became only the second player to retain the Top 14’s best player award, after France captain Antoine Dupont. He won the award for the 2025-26 campaign, coming top of a three-man shortlist that included Bordeaux-Begles fly-half Matthieu Jalibert and Clermont-Auvergne’s All Black Harry Plummer.
The 29-year-old made his decision to stay at Toulouse, where his contract runs until 2029, despite knowing it would put him out of contention for an England spot. “You know what you sacrifice,” he said of his Test career. “It’s something I still want to do, but rules are rules.”
The Eligibility Problem
The long-standing policy that restricts England selection to domestic-based players is the wall Willis is leaning against. It strengthens Prem clubs’ ability to retain top talent, while England also benefit from increased access and control over their players. Under those rules, Willis is ineligible for the national team because he plays abroad.
There is no getting around it. Willis knows the rules as well as anyone, and he has lived with the decision since he signed for Toulouse. He is now, in theory, available for selection by Ireland.
The Irish Option
Three years have passed since Willis last appeared for England. Under World Rugby’s ‘birthright’ rule, he could now represent a country which he, his parents or his grandparents were born in. His grandfather was born in Belfast.
Ireland have relaxed their strong preference for home-based players on rare occasions in the past. Jonny Sexton and Tommy Bowe continued to play for their country despite moves to Racing 92 and the Ospreys respectively. But the likes of Simon Zebo have also found themselves excluded after heading overseas.
Willis is a quarter Irish, but he is not convinced that will help him. “I’m a quarter Irish, but they have the same rules as England,” he said. “You need to do some digging, that’s your job, you find the way [around the rules]!”
The Unlikely Compromise
It is highly unlikely any compromise would be found that allows Willis to play for Ireland while remaining with Toulouse.
The Prize Collection
Willis has won more than his share of silverware since joining Toulouse. He was named player of the match in June’s Top14 final win over Montpellier, adding a fourth French title to his trophy cabinet. The Champions Cup crown he lifted in 2024 was another milestone.
| Trophy | Year | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| Top14 title | June | Montpellier |
| Champions Cup | 2024 | — |
The Top 14 award for the 2025-26 campaign was his latest honour. He came top of the three-man shortlist, beating Jalibert and Plummer to the prize.
What He Has Given Up
Willis has always been open about the cost of his decision. He knew what he was giving up when he signed for Toulouse, and he has never hidden behind it. “You know what you sacrifice,” he said of his Test career. “It’s something I still want to do, but rules are rules.”
He is a quarter Irish, but Ireland’s rules mirror England’s. He can joke about finding a way, but he is not convinced one exists. The grandfather born in Belfast is a fact, but it is not a ticket.
The Verdict
Willis is a player who knows what he wants and what he has given up to get it. He is the second man to retain the Top 14 award, and he has been a huge success in French club rugby. He is also a man who jokes about finding a way back into Test rugby, fully aware that a compromise is highly unlikely.
The rules are the rules, and Willis has accepted that from the start. He made his choice, won his trophies, and now he watches the England team play without him. He is a quarter Irish, but the Irish rules are the same as England’s.
The joke is a joke precisely because he knows there is no easy answer. Willis knows exactly what he is saying, and he says it with a smile.
Source material: “Top 14 award winner Willis reiterates desire to play Test rugby,” the BBC.
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