Willis wins back-to-back Top 14 Player of the Year but England recall stays out of reach

Jack Willis has become only the second player in history to win the Top 14 Player of the Year award twice, joining Toulouse team-mate Antoine Dupont after the English flanker’s standout role in the club’s final victory over Montpellier in June. Willis beat Bordeaux-Bègleès fly-half Matthieu Jalibert and Clermont’s All Black Harry Plummer to claim the prize at a ceremony in Paris.

Despite the individual recognition, Willis’s international situation remains complicated. The 29-year-old is ineligible for England selection under the RFU’s overseas player policy, a consequence of his decision to remain at Toulouse rather than return to the Premiership. He acknowledged the sacrifice openly after collecting the award.

“It’s always something that’s in the back of my mind,” Willis said. “It’s what I miss. But when you make a decision, you have to own it. You know what you have to sacrifice. It wasn’t my choice at the beginning, but it was my choice to stay here afterwards. It’s something that’s always in the back of my mind, something I still want to do. But the rules are the rules, unless something changes which is out of my control.”

The international picture is set to grow more complex in the coming weeks. Willis is understood to be nearing eligibility to represent Ireland through heritage, a development that could force a decision on his international future — though his comments suggest England remains his preference if the rules were ever to shift.

For now, Willis’s immediate concern is fitness rather than eligibility. A thigh injury has kept him out of Toulouse’s last two matches of the season, and he says his focus is squarely on returning to the club that has made him one of European rugby’s most decorated players.

“For now, I’m doing my best to recover and do my best for my club,” he added.