Tom Willis to drop out of England reckoning after signing Bordeaux contract

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. Borthwick on Sunday names his first training squad, as Australia’s visit to Twickenham on 1 November approaches.

“Tom and I had a great conversation during the week,” Saracens’ director of rugby, Mark McCall, said after Saturday’s 65-14 victory over Sale. “Tom had put a lot of thought into the decision and he feels like it’s the right decision for him and his family.

“He explained a few things to me and we completely respect his decision. It’s up to him what he wants to do and where he thinks he’ll be happiest.

“Given the decision he had made, how well did he play for us against Sale? He’s committed to playing well for us for the rest of the season. We all respect the decision he has taken.”

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