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14th January 2026
05:00pm GMT
Not only are there few backrows in the game better than Jack Willis, there are only a handful of players superior to the Toulouse star.
The 29-year-old has rightfully earned his reputation as one of the world's premier forwards since joining the French juggernauts in 2022, helping himself to three Top 14 titles and a Champions Cup.
Despite not playing international rugby since 2023, there were loud calls for his inclusion on the last Lions tour, such was the level of his performances.
That last international appearance was for England in their victory over Chile at the 2023 World Cup, and since moving to Toulouse, Willis has not been able to add to his 14 caps, much to the chagrin of the England faithful.
However, he and his brother Tom - who plays for England and Saracens - both have Irish heritage through is Northern Irish-born grandad.
Ahead of his Champions Cup semi-final against Leinster in 2023, Willis explained: “I am quarter-Irish. My grandad is from Northern Ireland so he’s fully Irish.
"But I’ve always grown up supporting England, my brother (Tom) the same. You are always looking into possibilities, you want to be playing international rugby but, for us, we see ourselves as English.”
Despite playing for England, Willis could tog out for Ireland, and not too far in the future either.
World Rugby's rules allow players to switch to another country - as long as they qualify - after a three-year stand down from international rugby.
This means that Willis will be allowed play for Ireland after September 23 of this year, provided he does not tog out for England in the meantime.
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