Jack Willis says he still believes he has more to give at Test level, but he is also accepting that his England career may already be over after committing long term to Toulouse. The 29-year-old back row spoke on the For the Love of Rugby podcast and addressed both his England eligibility and the speculation around a possible Ireland switch. His comments come as Toulouse continue their strong run in France, where Willis remains central to the club’s success.
England eligibility has changed the picture
Willis won the most recent of his 14 England caps at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and has not played international rugby since. He first joined Toulouse in November 2022 and was then allowed to keep playing for England because Wasps had folded, but that arrangement ended once he extended his Toulouse contract rather than returning to an English club.
Under Rugby Football Union rules introduced for overseas-based players, that decision leaves him unavailable for England selection. Willis said he does not regret staying in France and made clear that he chose to remain at Toulouse rather than walk away from England. He also said he does not think he showed the best version of Jack Willis in an England shirt, while adding that he could offer more now if he were available.
The Ireland question and Jack Willis
The possibility of an Ireland switch has been discussed because Willis qualifies through his grandfather. Under World Rugby’s birthright laws, he would be eligible for Ireland in late 2026 after three years out of international rugby.
Willis did not present that as a likely route. He said that if a move were involved, it would put him in the same position as it would for England because the rule is the rule. He added that constantly thinking about changing, moving, and searching for another route would drain him, and said his reality is “pretty good” at Toulouse.
What he said about making peace with the situation
Willis framed the issue as one of acceptance rather than regret. He said there will always be part of him that thinks he had more to give on the international stage, but that he has to make peace with the decision because he fully understood what came with his longer-term Toulouse contract.
He also reflected on how his 2023 Rugby World Cup ended. His last international action was England’s 71-0 win over Chile, but a neck injury in that match ruled him out of the rest of the tournament. Willis said there were things he could have done better in his Test career, while stressing that he remains grateful to be part of Toulouse.
What happens next for Jack Willis
For now, the practical reality is straightforward: Willis is a key part of a Toulouse side that has won three successive French titles and is leading the table again this season. He was named the Top 14 Player of the Year for 2024-25 and was also shortlisted for the Champions Cup equivalent, underlining how far his club form has carried him.
Any future change would depend on several moving parts, including club arrangements and eligibility rules, but Willis offered no indication that a switch is imminent. For the moment, Jack Willis appears settled in France, even if the international door has not completely disappeared.
