England’s Jack Willis can’t play for his own country, but he could play for Ireland — and he has said he’d consider it.
The 29-year-old Toulouse flanker remains ineligible for England because of the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) restrictions on overseas-based players. That means he hasn’t added to his 14 international caps since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, when he won his last cap in England’s group-stage win over Chile. He’s under contract with Toulouse until 2029.
But Willis is eligible for Ireland through his grandfather, who was born in Belfast. And he has hinted he’d be open to switching sides.
RFU’s Ban on Overseas Players
Willis joined Toulouse in November 2022 after his former club, Wasps, entered administration. The RFU gave him a special dispensation to play at the World Cup, but the governing body has since refused to loosen its rules for overseas-based players.
Willis had previously hoped the RFU would reconsider the policy. Now he’s pointing elsewhere.
Ireland’s Province Requirement
The RFU’s position is simple: overseas-based players can’t represent England. Farrell’s Ireland also has the same rule. Players must represent one of the country’s four provinces — Munster, Ulster, Leinster or Connacht — before they’re eligible for the national team.
Willis has a grandfather born in Belfast, which meets the blood requirement under World Rugby’s international eligibility rules. Those rules were relaxed in 2021, allowing players to switch national sides if they have a parent or grandparent born in the respective country and serve a three-year stand-down period from international rugby.
The Joke About Finding a Loophole
At this week’s Nuit du Rugby in Paris, Willis was asked about his situation. He responded with a joke directed at the journalists themselves.
“I’m a quarter Irish. But they have the same rules as England,” Willis told The Telegraph and The Times.
He then joked to reporters: “You need to do some digging, that’s your job, you find the way [around the rules].”
The joke lands because Willis knows the rules are the problem. He has continued to impress for Toulouse since moving to the south of France, scoring six tries and making 173 tackles as the French club secured a fourth consecutive Top 14 title last season.
What Willis Said About Playing For England
Willis hasn’t given up on the prospect of playing Test rugby. But he also admits the choice was his own.
“You know what you sacrifice,” the flanker said.
“It’s something I still want to do, but rules are rules.”
He was given a special dispensation to play for England at the World Cup, but that doesn’t change the current situation. He remains ineligible under the RFU’s permanent restrictions.
| Team | Eligibility Rules |
|---|---|
| England | Overseas-based players banned |
| Ireland | Players must represent a province |
| Both | Three-year stand-down required for switches |
The Numbers Behind the Decision
Willis has enjoyed another standout season in the Top 14, being crowned the league’s Player of the Season for the second year running this week.
The contract runs until 2029, which leaves plenty of time for the rules to shift.
What Happens Next
Willis isn’t rushing anything. He’s still playing for Toulouse, still scoring tries, and still talking about playing Test rugby.
The joke about finding a loophole was playful, but it wasn’t empty. Willis has said he’d open to switching sides, and the path exists under World Rugby’s rules.
Whether Ireland wants him is another matter. A 29-year-old flanker with 14 caps and a recent Player of the Season award would be a major coup.
For now, the story sits where it began: Willis can’t play for England, but he could play for Ireland, and he’s said he’d consider it.
The loophole exists. Whether anyone finds it is another question.
See the video the story is built around at Sky Sports.
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