The rugby world has been left stunned by reports that\u00a0England flanker Jack Willis\u00a0could be on the verge of a sensational switch to Ireland.<\/p>\n
What first appeared to be a far-fetched rumour is now beginning to gather serious momentum, with fresh claims suggesting conversations have already taken place behind the scenes.<\/p>\n
Watch the Guinness Six Nations at your local\u00a0Greene King sports pub<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 29-year-old has been one of the standout back-rowers in Europe over the past few seasons, starring for\u00a0Toulouse, but has been consistently overlooked by England head coach\u00a0Steve Borthwick\u00a0due to playing outside the Premiership.<\/p>\n However, a major twist has now emerged.<\/p>\n It is understood that Willis will become eligible to switch his international allegiance to\u00a0Ireland\u00a0later this year, having not represented England in almost three years.<\/p>\n Willis previously revealed back in 2023 that he qualifies for Ireland through his grandparents, although he insisted at the time that both he and his brother Tom had always supported England.<\/p>\n But with his Toulouse contract expiring this summer, former Scotland international\u00a0Jim Hamilton\u00a0has claimed that discussions have taken place behind the scenes.<\/p>\n Speaking on\u00a0The Rugby Pod\u00a0last week, Hamilton suggested that\u00a0Munster and the IRFU\u00a0had approached Willis \u2013 and he has now followed up on those comments in an interview with SportsJOE for Boylesports.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt a little bit embarrassed when I saw some of the mainstream media had picked it up,\u201d Hamilton said.<\/p>\n \u201cI said to my team, I was like \u2018lads, is this legit?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Hamilton explained that he had heard through multiple sources that conversations were happening between IRFU High Performance Director\u00a0David Humphreys\u00a0and Willis\u2019 representatives.<\/p>\n \u201cI heard through a few different lines that there were conversations happening between Humphreys and Willis\u2019 people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I had to go back and fact-check that, which was correct.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo I know there are a few discussions that have kind of happened in the background.\u201d<\/p>\n Hamilton believes Willis would be a huge addition for Ireland, despite their strength in the back row.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, if there\u2019s any Irish in a player like Jack Willis\u2026 you\u2019re talking about a lad that\u2019s operating at the highest level, in one of the best club teams in the world.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I mean, there was definitely something in it.\u201d<\/p>\n POLL:<\/p>\n OTHER ENGLISH PLAYERS SWAPPING NATIONS:<\/p>\n Mako Vunipola<\/p>\n Mako is long established as an England prop, but with Tongan heritage via his parents and no England appearances since the 2023 World Cup, he\u00a0could\u00a0be eligible to represent\u00a0Tonga\u00a0under World Rugby\u2019s eligibility rules (three\u2011year stand\u2011down + heritage) should he choose to pursue that route.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dan Kelly<\/p>\n A talented\u00a0centre\u00a0currently playing in\u00a0Ireland, Kelly has one senior England cap but has since appeared for\u00a0Ireland A, aligning him with Ireland under current eligibility pathways. <\/p>\n England\u2019s restrictions on overseas\u2011based players limited his opportunities with the Red Rose, but a full switch to Ireland gives him the chance for consistent Test rugby and a starting role at the 2027 World Cup.<\/p>\n Billy Vunipola<\/p>\n Billy also qualifies for\u00a0Tonga\u00a0through family heritage. Despite a long England career, he hasn\u2019t featured since playing in 2024 under the overseas\u2011based restrictions. Tonga has shown interest in bringing the powerful number 8 into their squad for 2027, and given the eligibility framework, he\u00a0could\u00a0make such a switch.<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n