"Tom Willis will leave Saracens at the end of the season after signing a contract with Bordeaux that will make him ineligible for Steve Borthwick's England squad. In a major blow to the head coach, Willis has rejected a new deal from Saracens in order to return to the club where he spent a chunk of the 2022-23 campaign once Wasps had entered administration."
"Since heading to north London in 2023, he has established himself as England's first-choice No 8 and was awarded an enhanced contract by the Rugby Football Union in recognition of the impact he has made. However, RFU rules state that only players competing in the Prem are eligible for Test selection and Borthwick must now decide whether to pick Willis for the upcoming autumn and Six Nations knowing that he will not be available for the 2027 World Cup."
Tom Willis will leave Saracens at the end of the season to join Bordeaux, rendering him ineligible for England Test selection because RFU rules require Premiership participation. Willis rejected a new Saracens contract to return to the club where he spent part of the 2022-23 campaign after Wasps entered administration. Since joining Saracens in 2023 he became England's first-choice No 8 and received an enhanced RFU contract. Steve Borthwick must decide whether to include Willis in autumn and Six Nations squads despite his unavailability for the 2027 World Cup. Mark McCall confirmed respect for Willis's decision and his commitment to finish the season well.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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