Jack Willis: From Wasps redundancy to European semi-final with a message for RFU
Jack Willis urged RFU bosses to reconsider their overseas rule as he prepared to go from Wasps redundancy to Champions Cup semi-final.
Six months after being one of 167 made jobless by the financial collapse of his lifelong club, Willis plays for Toulouse at Leinster on Saturday.
The Dublin clash comes a fortnight after the flanker turned a short-term move into a three-year deal with the five-time European champions.
Under RFU regulations which prevent non-Premiership players representing their country, he will be ineligible after the World Cup until 2026 - robbing England of arguably his best playing years.
“It needs to be discussed and I think something has to change,” Willis said. “Where the current salary cap lies [£5 million] it is not feasible for things to carry on the way they are.
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“Being involved in the England set-up is not appealing to clubs as you are away for half the season. They don’t get the financial benefits for it and you get caught in that zone in between, almost less valuable to them.”
Willis in action for Wasps against Exeter Chiefs in 2020 Premiership Final (Getty Images)Willis, 26, argues that the ‘exceptional circumstances’ caveat should still apply, what with the salary cap cut and the scarcity of jobs since the market was flooded by players made jobless at Wasps and Worcester.
“Also,” he added, “I made the decision to be in the best place possible for my rugby and that has to be a factor moving forward as, to play for England, you have to play your best rugby.”
Having a fistful of England stars join Willis in the Top 14 next season cranks up the pressure on RFU boss Bill Sweeney, particularly with Borthwick among those pressing for reform.
RFU chief executive Bill SweeneyWillis, who describes the past six months as a “rollercoaster of emotions”, did not have the luxury of sitting on his hands and waiting for English rugby to find a solution.
“Given what happened at Wasps, probably the low point of my career and life in general so far, I had to go out and find what was next,” he said. “I had to take matters into my own hands and make a decision.
“The options in England were incredibly limited, but moving your life to France doesn’t just affect you. My partner and my son are here and that affects grandparents, aunties and uncles who you're taking the little one away from.
Siya Kolisi with adoring fans after captaining South Africa to 2019 World Cup (Gallo Images)“I got to a point where I couldn't really believe how great a club I was at. I'd have felt stupid turning that down. I said to myself I want to control my own fate and Toulouse is the right place to do that.”
South Africa are sweating on the fitness of inspirational captain Siya Kolisi, amid reports he is a serious Rugby World Cup doubt.
Kolisi lifts Webb Ellis Cup in Japan after Boks beat England in final (AFP via Getty Images)Kolisi, who led the Springboks to World Cup final glory over England in 2019, damaged a knee playing for Sharks against Munster on Saturday.
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South African website IOL is reporting that Kolisi sustained “an apparent partial tear to his anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL)”.
The website claims Kolisi has already seen two specialists, who have recommended surgery, and will see a third today. SA Rugby has yet to comment.
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