England Star Tipped for Lions Spot Even Though He Didn't Play a Single Minute in 2025 Six Nations
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Sir Clive Woodward has made it clear he wants Jack Willis, the exiled England flanker, included in the squad for the British and Irish Lions' 2025 tour of Australia.
Despite England's strong finish in the Six Nations under Steve Borthwick, Willis was unable to feature due to RFU regulations preventing the selection of overseas-based players.
Why was Willis sidelined?
Willis, who has been plying his trade for Toulouse in France for the past two seasons, was ruled out of England's Six Nations campaign. Since 2011, the RFU has enforced a strict rule preventing the selection of English players who play abroad, designed to protect the quality of the domestic leagues.
Woodward's fury at "ridiculous" rule
Woodward, never one to shy away from strong opinions, blasted the RFU's stance in his Daily Mail column, describing the situation as "ridiculous." He argued that Willis' stellar form for Toulouse over the last two years should have made him an automatic pick for the Lions.
"Willis is a Test Lion in waiting"
"There is one Englishman Farrell must pick in that area of the field, and it's one who didn't play a minute in the Six Nations," Woodward wrote. "Jack Willis is ineligible for international rugby because of his club employment with Toulouse. As I've consistently maintained, that is ridiculous."
Kinghorn also in Woodward's Test team
Woodward didn't stop at Willis. He also pushed for Blair Kinghorn, the Scotland full-back and Willis' club teammate at Toulouse, to be part of Andy Farrell's Lions squad.
"Their quality makes them unmissable"
Woodward insisted that even if Toulouse reaches the latter stages of the TOP 14 and Champions Cup – which would delay their availability – both Willis and Kinghorn are simply too good to be left out.
"To me, it doesn't matter if they miss the first few weeks," Woodward added. "Their undoubted quality means they have to be in the side, fitness permitting. I'd play Willis at blindside flanker with Caelan Doris at No 8 and either Morgan or Tom Curry on the openside."
EDITORS PICKS:
- Premiership Rugby Set to Bring Away Ends for Fans
- England 'replacing Umbro' for New Kit Deal – Fans Fuming
- BBC will no longer broadcast England rugby games
- Wareen Gatland selects FOUR English players in his British & Irish Lions XV
WIN A TRIP TO THE 2025 LIONS:
HE PACKAGE INCLUDES
- 2 x Return flight tickets from the UK to Australia
- 2 x Tickets to watch the 2nd Test in Melbourne
- 2 x Tickets to watch the 3rd Test in Sydney
- 4 x Night's accommodation in Melbourne with bed & breakfast (24-27 July)
- 7 x Night's accommodation in Sydney with bed & breakfast (28 July-3 Aug)
- 2 x Flight tickets Melbourne to Sydney including airport hotel group transfers
- 2 x Tickets to watch a private function with Lions legends
- Additional events to be announced
The winner will be part of the Lions supporters group with tour representatives on hand to oversee everything.
2025 British & Irish Lions Squad: Bookies' Predictions for the Tour
With the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia fast approaching, the bookmakers have released their early odds on who will make the squad.
While a lot can change between now and the final selection, these odds give a strong indication of who the bookies believe will be donning the famous red jersey next summer.
The bolded players in our proposed Lions squad represent the starting XV, according to current odds.
2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD (36)
BACK-THREE (6)
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – 1/16
- James Lowe (Ireland) – 1/8
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – 1/5
- Tommy Freeman (England) – 4/9
- Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) – 8/11
- Darcy Graham (Scotland) – 2/1
CENTRE (4)
- Bundee Aki (Ireland) – 1/5
- Ollie Lawrence (England) – 1/4
- Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) – 2/7
- Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) – 8/11
FLY-HALVES (3)
- Fin Russell (Scotland) – 1/10
- Fin Smith (England) – 8/15
- Sam Prendergast (Ireland) – 8/11
CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO
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