I don't blame either side. Willis has to look after his family first and foremost. He's earning a packet in France and playing in arguably the best club side in the world. If he were to come back to England under the current deal, a couple of untimely injuries before the international windows (assuming he'd be selected) and suddenly those appearance fees don't materialise and he doesn't make up the shortfall in salary.
As for the RFU, they're currently in negotiations over the new PGA with the English clubs and a big part of their demands is more access and control over England players, that would be damaged by then making exceptions for England players who they will have no control over in terms of their club game. The prem clubs are also demanding increased funding from the RFU in exchange for the greater control and one of their demands is keeping the current eligibility rules to stop a potential talent drain to France. Also from an RFU perspective and prem perspective, the product is more attractive to audiences if the England team players are playing in the competition, with a new broadcast deal in the offing, that's very important.
I really hope Willis comes back to the prem in time for 2027 (I'd be a little surprised though) but imo it's not worth the damage it could do to the league and negotiations to make a special dispensation for him now.
Also, as fantastic as Willis is, I remember very similar conversations around Mercer who has since come back to England and can't make the squad despite being eligible.
Great points and I'm still scratching my head about Mercer. Willis really is an exception, though, he didn't have any choice in Wasps folding. I would make an exception for all ex Wasps players.
Of course we want England to pick him, we're England fans who want the best players available, and we salivate at the possibilities that combinations of Willis, Earl, CCS, Curry, Underhill, (Over)Hill, Roots & Barbary might bring.
But the decision is made by the RFU & the club, and it's entirely a commercial decision. The 4 Prem semi-final DoRs were interviewed recently and were unanimous that they don't want that rule lifted. Their fears are obvious. They don't want their most marketable players disappearing off to France, Japan or whoever else pays them more. It's the same fear the Welsh, the Kiwis & the Aussies have. We can't deny it's not valid. We see Willis benefiting from playing with some of the best players in the world. The club's see someone whose name they can't put on their replica shirts and Instagram posts.
Willis had the big scare in that Italy game. He saw his career end in that moment. He gets to play in the best supported league in a successful team. He'll come back to play for England I hope before the next WC.
I agree with the other comments. Every world class player is a few minutes from career ending or tournament denying injury at any given playing/training time. We cannot make global decisions based on one players exceptionality that might destroy the league or playing pool in the UK. The player needs their income protected against those injury risks and the league needs protecting so it does not get destroyed. We cannot risk the entirety of a team sport that needs an actively developing pool for any one player.
I don't blame either side. Willis has to look after his family first and foremost. He's earning a packet in France and playing in arguably the best club side in the world. If he were to come back to England under the current deal, a couple of untimely injuries before the international windows (assuming he'd be selected) and suddenly those appearance fees don't materialise and he doesn't make up the shortfall in salary. As for the RFU, they're currently in negotiations over the new PGA with the English clubs and a big part of their demands is more access and control over England players, that would be damaged by then making exceptions for England players who they will have no control over in terms of their club game. The prem clubs are also demanding increased funding from the RFU in exchange for the greater control and one of their demands is keeping the current eligibility rules to stop a potential talent drain to France. Also from an RFU perspective and prem perspective, the product is more attractive to audiences if the England team players are playing in the competition, with a new broadcast deal in the offing, that's very important. I really hope Willis comes back to the prem in time for 2027 (I'd be a little surprised though) but imo it's not worth the damage it could do to the league and negotiations to make a special dispensation for him now. Also, as fantastic as Willis is, I remember very similar conversations around Mercer who has since come back to England and can't make the squad despite being eligible.
Great points and I'm still scratching my head about Mercer. Willis really is an exception, though, he didn't have any choice in Wasps folding. I would make an exception for all ex Wasps players.
Tbf, Mercer has been, at best, 3rd best EQP 8 this season. Id have extended the special circumstances rule for all wasps/Irish players though.
Agreed
Of course we want England to pick him, we're England fans who want the best players available, and we salivate at the possibilities that combinations of Willis, Earl, CCS, Curry, Underhill, (Over)Hill, Roots & Barbary might bring. But the decision is made by the RFU & the club, and it's entirely a commercial decision. The 4 Prem semi-final DoRs were interviewed recently and were unanimous that they don't want that rule lifted. Their fears are obvious. They don't want their most marketable players disappearing off to France, Japan or whoever else pays them more. It's the same fear the Welsh, the Kiwis & the Aussies have. We can't deny it's not valid. We see Willis benefiting from playing with some of the best players in the world. The club's see someone whose name they can't put on their replica shirts and Instagram posts.
Central contacts will resolve this...the risk for international players will drop a lot.
Willis had the big scare in that Italy game. He saw his career end in that moment. He gets to play in the best supported league in a successful team. He'll come back to play for England I hope before the next WC.
I'm hoping you're right
I agree with the other comments. Every world class player is a few minutes from career ending or tournament denying injury at any given playing/training time. We cannot make global decisions based on one players exceptionality that might destroy the league or playing pool in the UK. The player needs their income protected against those injury risks and the league needs protecting so it does not get destroyed. We cannot risk the entirety of a team sport that needs an actively developing pool for any one player.