Bears move for Willis may help England
ON THE BLINDSIDE
Bristol Bears could throw Jack Willis, below, an England lifeline with Premiership clubs ready to fight any plans to scrap the rule which prevents overseas-based players from being picked by Steve Borthwick.
The newly installed England boss wants the RFU to rethink the policy after losing Sam Simmonds, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Marchant and David Ribbans to Top 14 clubs this summer.
Premiership clubs are preparing to scrap plans to raise the salary cap from £5 million and are ready to take a hardline stance against players who want to accept better offers abroad. Willis was given special dispensation to play for Toulouse while remaining eligible for the Six Nations following Wasps' collapse, and suitable offers from Premiership clubs have been in short supply.
Blindside sources have indicated that Willis has been sounded out about a potential move to the west country, adding to the potential options of staying in Toulouse or joining Bordeaux.
