Saracens ‘fully respect’ Tom Willis decision as England star parks Test ambitions with exit confirmed
Tom Willis (left) will leave Saracens at the end of the season.
Saracens number eight Tom Willis will depart the club at the end of the current PREM season to return to the Top 14, the North London club have confirmed.
This follows weeks of speculation over his future, with the back-row forward out of contract with the six-time champions at the end of the season.
Willis joined Saracens at the start of the 2023/24 season from French giants Bordeaux Begles, who he is rumoured to be rejoining despite interest from Toulouse, and has made 43 appearances to date.
In that time, he has also become a mainstay in Steve Borthwick’s England side, with seven of his eight caps coming since the turn of the year. In that time, he also started five of those Tests, notably taking a starring role in the 2-0 series whitewash over Argentina in the summer.
‘We fully respect his decision to pursue a new challenge in France’
Commenting on the move, Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said: “Whilst we are disappointed that Tom will not be extending his time at the club, we fully respect his decision to pursue a new challenge in France.
“He has made a great impact on the field and been a popular team-mate off it.
“I know he is determined to give everything to the group over the coming months. Everyone at Saracens thank Tom for all his efforts in a Saracens jersey.”
While he was out of contract with the PREM outfit, Willis was among the 25-man group to be awarded an Enhanced EPS contract by Borthwick earlier this year; however, his move to France will make him ineligible to represent the national side come the end of the season.
That decision would not have come easy, especially for a player becoming a consistent figure in the starting XV, but Willis insists it is the right decision for him and his family.
“This was one of the hardest decisions of my life but it’s one that feels right for me,” he said.
“I’ve absolutely loved my time at Saracens and have made some friends for life.
“I will continue to give everything for this club for the remainder of the season and I’m very excited about what this squad can achieve.”
