Overview

• England’s head coach left the No 8 out of a 36-player pre-autumn training group named on Sunday following confirmation of his end-of-season departure.
• Saracens announced the 26-year-old will leave at the end of the campaign to pursue an opportunity in France, and both the club and player pledged full commitment until then.
• Under the RFU’s selection policy, Willis will be ineligible for Test rugby while based abroad despite having established himself as England’s first-choice No 8 this year.
• Multiple outlets report he is set to rejoin Bordeaux-Bègles, where he previously played after Wasps’ collapse, though the destination has not been officially confirmed.
• Willis received an enhanced EPS deal from the RFU in August, highlighting tensions in retention efforts as England now reassess back-row options for the November Tests.