Jack Willis reportedly holds talks with IRFU about blockbuster provincial move

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RugbyLAD Team
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The plot thickens.

Reports surfaced last week that England flanker Jack Willis could be set for a sensational move to Ireland, and the rumours are starting to gather momentum.

The 29-year-old has been one of the best flankers in Europe in recent seasons, but has been overlooked by England head coach Steve Borthwick as he plies his trade outside the English Premiership.

But it has emerged that Willis is eligible to switch his international allegiance to Ireland this year, having not represented England in almost three years.

Willis revealed that he is eligible for Ireland through his grandparents in 2023, but made it clear at the time that he and his brother, Tom, have always supported England.

But with his contract up in the summer at Toulouse, Jim Hamilton suggested last week on The Rugby Pod that Munster and the IRFU have approached Willis, and he has now followed up on that claim in an Interview with SportsJOE for Boylesports.

“I felt a little bit embarrassed when I saw some of the mainstream media had picked it up, and I said to my team, I was like ‘lads, is this legit?’” Hamilton said.

“I heard through a few different lines that there were conversations happening between [IRFU High Performance Director David] Humphreys and Willis’ people, and I had to go back and fact-check that, which was correct.

“So I know there are a few discussions that have kind of happened in the background.

“Of course, if there’s any Irish in a player like Jack Willis, as much as Ireland have got quality across the back row and great players coming through, you’re talking about a lad that’s operating at the highest level, in one of the best club teams in the world.

“Yeah, I mean, there was definitely something in it.”

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