Tom Willis Leaves England Squad After Signing with Bordeaux, Impacting 2027 World Cup Plans

Tom Willis, England's first-choice No 8, has decided to leave Saracens and join French club Bordeaux-Begles, making him ineligible for England selection under Rugby Football Union (RFU) rules which require players to be based in England. This move is a significant setback for England head coach Steve Borthwick, who had recently awarded Willis an enhanced Elite Player Squad contract and relied on him as a key player for upcoming internationals and the 2027 World Cup. Willis's departure leaves a gap in England's back row options, with Ben Earl and others likely to fill the No 8 role during the autumn internationals. Despite Willis's decision, Saracens’ director of rugby Mark McCall praised his commitment to finishing the season strongly. England's autumn training squad excludes Willis and also omits Owen Farrell, while recalling Henry Arundell and including young talents like Noah Caluori for development. The situation underscores the challenges Borthwick faces in retaining top talent eligible for international duty as the World Cup approaches.