Saracens number eight Tom Willis is set to leave the club at the end of the season to return to France - making him ineligible for England.
Saracens number eight Tom Willis is set to leave the club at the end of the season to return to France - making him ineligible for England.
Willis has become a part of the England setup during his time at Saracens and won eight international caps.
The 26-year-old impressed during England's summer tour of Argentina and the United States and his departure to France is a setback for head coach Steve Borthwick.
The Rugby Football Union has a policy of not selecting players based overseas for England, in order to maintain the strength of the Premiership.
Willis, who has made 43 appearances for Saracens, said leaving was "one of the hardest decisions of my life" but "one that feels right for me".
"I've absolutely loved my time at Saracens and have made some friends for life," explained Reading-born Willis, whose brother Jack plays for French club Toulouse.
"I will continue to give everything for this club for the remainder of the season and I'm very excited about what this squad can achieve."
The Telegraph has reported that Willis is set to rejoin Bordeaux-Begles, having left them for Saracens in January 2023.
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said he is "disappointed" by Willis' desire to leave but respected the player's "decision to pursue a new challenge".
"He [Willis] has made a great impact on the field and been a popular team-mate off it," McCall added.
"I know he is determined to give everything to the group over the coming months."
Category: General Sports
