While the IRFU continue to prioritise the production line of player within this country, they have shown that they are not afraid to look abroad when it comes to bolstering the Ireland squad.

Josh Neill is a prime example. The Cape Town native is Irish-qualified through his grandparents, with Leinster and the IRFU prosing him away from his nation of birth with a compelling contract offer. He has already starred for the Ireland U20s and looks like a massive test prospect.

They made a similar play for Australian prop Massimo De Lutiis in recent weeks, although he ultimately opted to remain Down Under.

While those players are young prospects that could have big futures in the game, one of the sport’s current biggest stars has also been linked with a switch to Ireland in recent times.

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Should Ireland make move for former England star?

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Jack Willis has made remarkable strides in his game in recent times, establishing himself as perhaps the premier backrow in world rugby during his time at Toulouse.

The 29-year old has not featured for England since September of 2023, being unavailable for selection du to playing his club rugby France. Interestingly, the player would be eligible to play for Ireland as soon this autumn.

Willis’ grandfather hails from Northern Ireland. Under current World Rugby eligibility laws, players can line out for a new nation for which they are eligible three years after their most recent appearance for another country.

As a result, Jack Willis would be eligible to play for Ireland this October. Of course, IRFU selection rules would mean that he would need to play for an Irish club in order to be considered, having been linked with Munster earlier this year.

The player’s current contract has a break clause that would allow him to move clubs in 2027 in order to feature in that year’s World Cup. That was likely done with a move to England in mind, but could it potentially leave the door open for a move to Irish rugby?

Speaking on The Rugby Pod, former England international Andy Goode suggested that Ireland head coach Andy Farrell should intervene in order to get Willis into a green jersey.

Is he Irish? I’ve heard he’s Irish…

He is the standout in the world for what he does. People will go ‘turnover king’, that is a massive part of his game, but if you watch him or player cam him, his work rate off the ball, the lines he runs, his strength in contact whether it’s in defence or in metres made after contact, he’s a freak show. He’s an absolute freak show.

We’ve said it for a long time, it’s a massive shame (that he’s not playing for England).

Jim do you know whether he’s Irish or not? Should we message his agent and ask if he’s Irish?

If he is, Andy Farrell do the right thing and get him involved. At the minute he can’t play for England.

What you can argue is the special circumstances rule that England have got. you can clearly make the case that the special circumstances are ‘he’s the best f*****g player in the world so we’ve got to pick him’.

Both England and Ireland have strictly enforced their selection policy in recent years, meaning Jack Willis will likely have to move to a club in one of those two countries if he is to feature at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

A switch to Ireland still seems unlikely, but it would be some coup for the IRFU if they managed to pull it off.

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