Jack Willis is about to all but end his England career

Jack Willis is closing in on signing a new four-year deal with Toulouse, which will keep him with the back-to-back Top 14 champions until the summer of 2029. The 27-year-old, who was a member of the all-conquering Toulouse squad that won the Top 14 and Investec Champions Cup double last season, is due to be out of contract at the end of this season.

The former England international openside, who can operate anywhere across the back row, did have a clause giving Toulouse the option of extending his contract by a year.

They had until December to take up the option, but there was never any chance of Willis, who was signed in November 2022 after Wasps went into liquidation, leaving the club he has represented 40 times.

Willis admitted in a TNT Sports interview that as much as he misses playing with younger brother Tom, who is now at Saracens and with whom he has been linked, he is loving life in La Ville Rose too much.

“I miss so much about Wasps every day. I miss playing with my best mates. I miss playing with my brother. But this group is amazing and they have welcomed me in so well. I feel part of it here, from top to bottom, everyone in the club, not just the boys. To play in games like this this is what it’s about. I love it. I have loved it and I’m loving it.

The news that Willis is close to committing his long-term future to Toulouse will confirm Steve Borthwick’s worst fears as he will continue to be ineligible for Test selection. Willis has won 14 England caps, but the RFU will only pick players for the national team if they are playing in the Gallagher Premiership.

He had a dispensation after leaving Wasps, but that ended after the Rugby World Cup last year. With the new deal set to end when Willis is 32, it will all but end any prospect of him playing for England again.