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#Post#: 154663--------------------------------------------------
Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: May 26, 2026, 4:18 am
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Toulouse star flanker is ineligible to play for England under
current rules, but simply scrapping them is not the answer
Brian Moore
Published 25 May 2026 8:30am BST
This season, both Europe’s premier cup competitions have been
won convincingly by French teams: Bordeaux-Bègles over Leinster
in the Champions Cup and Montpellier over Ulster in the
Challenge Cup. That means 10 of the last 12 trophies have been
won by the French. That says a lot about the strength of their
club rugby, which feeds into their global position when it comes
to the international game.
All of this has led some commenters to make the now reflexive
claim that for England to match the French at Test level, their
players should be allowed to play in the Top 14 without
restriction, because that would mean they were being exposed to
the best club rugby each week.
I hesitate to dwell on this subject, not because it is
uninteresting but because it has become almost impossible to get
those who make such proposals to give a cogent answer or, in
some cases, any answer to the potential problems such a reversal
of Rugby Football Union policy might entail.
Similarly, but more understandably, nobody appears to have a
workable strategy to annul several distinct advantages enjoyed
by French club rugby. This is less surprising, as I do not think
there are any, and the rest of the clubs playing in the
competitions have to make the best of it.
I realise that this is going over familiar ground, but I want to
make yet another attempt to get the proponents of such a rule
change to be honest enough to give proper answers to the points
put, or at least admit they do not have any. Let us take the big
one first.
You can push for the rule that bans English-qualified players
playing outside the Gallagher Prem to be removed. You are
entitled to that opinion. You should not, however, be taken
seriously if you refuse to address the potential effects of the
change and particularly if your post is a variation of the
following: “The Overseas Players Rule should be abandoned.
Always pick the best players available for England. End of.”
Presently, we are probably only talking about one specific
player who would be automatically included from France – Jack
Willis. While an undoubted and stellar talent, Willis made his
choice and you cannot make rules for exceptions, you must make
them in the knowledge of probable effects.
So, let us know how you would ensure there was no shortfall in
the broadcast rights for England’s chief domestic competition,
should several of its superstars be lured abroad. Knowing the
people involved in the broadcast rights bidding process from TNT
Sports, I can tell you that if that happened, the bids would be
reduced in the future. Not necessarily in terms of the headline
figure, but certainly a diminution in what otherwise would have
been paid.
If you cannot make this guarantee, how do you propose any
shortfall is made up? If you cannot do this, you have no
solution to what would be deleterious consequence for all of
England’s domestic top flight and how good is that for the
national team? And, while we are on this point, what effect do
you think the loss of the starting players will have on crowds –
positive or negative? You could claim that their absence would
give others opportunities, but we all know the real answer to
this question and why some refuse to address it.
How would you ensure that England-qualified players playing in
France actually play in the positions that are best for the
national team? Presently, the RFU has a good amount of say in
how Prem players are managed and their availability. This
extends into many areas beyond simple time on the field, it
includes injury-management, rehabilitation and other important
matters.
Despite the talent of individuals such as Henry Pollock, England
had a dismal Six Nations campaign
What legal mechanism do you propose to put to French club owners
that would allow similar influence for the English national
good, bearing in mind the extremely long French domestic season?
It would be disingenuous to demand rectification plans to
counter the following advantages, but they are factual and
influential.
South-West France is one of few regions globally where rugby is
more popular than football. This affects sponsorship, crowds and
recruitment of nascent talent. How much more talent might
England attract if they had the choice of young athletic players
in, say, the North West of England?
You might argue that the South West is the best English
equivalent, but that comparison fails when exposed to even a
modicum of serious scrutiny. Most French club grounds are
municipally owned, which reduces the clubs’ running costs and is
particularly relevant when it comes to issues such as the
upgrading of facilities that takes serious capital.
Finally, French players, similar to their Irish equivalents, are
the beneficiaries of different treatment under their tax system.
Income averaging rules effectively and substantially lower their
final progressive income tax bracket. The Plan d’Épargne
Retraite (“PER”) gives French players advantageous pension
provisions, allowing them to withdraw money at a much lower
marginal tax rate, whether from lump sums or annuities.
Good luck in persuading the Treasury to treat our players
likewise.
#Post#: 154664--------------------------------------------------
Re: Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: Yareet
Date: May 26, 2026, 4:59 am
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"Always pick the best players available for England. End of."
Yet many of the same people will say not to pick the best
players if they're not born and bred in England.
#Post#: 154665--------------------------------------------------
Re: Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: FrostAndFire
Date: May 26, 2026, 5:13 am
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As with most of the time, Moore has a sensible take.
Anyway, England's problems are not going to be solved by
plucking a couple of players out of France. We have players who
are good enough. We don't have a gameplan or coaching staff who
are doing it right now.
#Post#: 154666--------------------------------------------------
Re: Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: Banstead Quin
Date: May 26, 2026, 5:17 am
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Yeah I'm thinking even our head coach isn't wedded to "Always
pick the best players available for England. End of."
#Post#: 154669--------------------------------------------------
Re: Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: May 26, 2026, 6:15 am
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--- Quote from: Banstead Quin link ---
>
> Yeah I'm thinking even our head coach isn't wedded to "Always
pick the best players available for England. End of."
>
--- End Quote ---
Yes he is. But not neccessarily in their right position.
#Post#: 154670--------------------------------------------------
Re: Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: Banstead Quin
Date: May 26, 2026, 6:17 am
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I'm feeling a Morecombe & Wise gag coming on
#Post#: 154676--------------------------------------------------
Re: Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: Mayor West
Date: May 26, 2026, 1:55 pm
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I think now there are only ten teams that players can be chosen
from that we should pick players from Europe. If it is to be
restricted then the RFU should contribute to the wage bills of
the clubs so they can afford to keep them in England. 50ish
International players spread over just 10 Prem Clubs is clearly
not affordable. Experience in France must improve the quality
and knowledge that the players pick up in a different
environment.
#Post#: 154677--------------------------------------------------
Re: Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: May 26, 2026, 2:31 pm
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Perhaps a slight relaxing would be to allow almost two overseas
selection per squad. In the same breath, per squad two players
max who qualifies through the residency rule.
To be honest I don’t think this will ever be solved. I do think
it’s a shame though as I think a back row of Tom Willis, Jack
Willis and someone like Chessum or Pepper would be a great
balance
#Post#: 154680--------------------------------------------------
Re: Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: Quinten Poulsen
Date: May 26, 2026, 3:48 pm
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Nah, sod 'em. If they don't want to play for England enough to
stay in the permiership that's up to them.
#Post#: 154681--------------------------------------------------
Re: Want Jack Willis to play for England? Answer these questions
first
DIR By: Brown Bottle
Date: May 26, 2026, 4:02 pm
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--- Quote from: Mayor West link ---
>
> I think now there are only ten teams that players can be
chosen from that we should pick players from Europe. If it is to
be restricted then the RFU should contribute to the wage bills
of the clubs so they can afford to keep them in England. 50ish
International players spread over just 10 Prem Clubs is clearly
not affordable. Experience in France must improve the quality
and knowledge that the players pick up in a different
environment.
>
--- End Quote ---
The RFU contributes a fair wedge to the Premiership clubs
already.
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