The one that got away: Tom Willis back to show what England are missing

The Guardian's Gerard Meagher argues that Bordeaux Begles No 8 Tom Willis is showing England what they are missing ahead of the Champions Cup clash with Gloucester. Willis decided to return to France despite having received an enhanced contract worth 150,000 pounds from England head coach Steve Borthwick, making him ineligible for international selection under current Rugby Football Union rules ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

Willis previously excelled for Saracens, winning Premiership player of the year before completing his transfer back to Bordeaux. Despite England's shallow depth at No 8, Borthwick dropped Willis immediately after his decision, with Willis publicly accepting the eligibility rules while stating he simply chose a different path alongside his brother Jack in France.