Jack Willis speaks out on switching allegiances to Ireland

There has been lots of speculation!

The Toulouse man, however, has been absent from the international scene since togging out for England at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, given his contract in France.

There has been much discussion over his Irish roots, with the 29-year-old qualifying later this year, thanks to his Northern Irish grandfather and his absence from England.

We reported previously on Jim Hamilton's assertion that Munster had been in contact with a look at bringing Willis over to Ireland.

The former Scotland lock said: "I felt a little bit embarrassed when I saw some of the mainstream media had picked it up, and I said to my team, I was like 'lads, is this legit?'

"I heard through a few different lines that there were conversations happening between Humphreys [IRFU High Performance Director David Humpherys] and Willis's people, and I had to go back and fact check that, which was correct."

Appearing on the For the Love of Rugby podcast, Willis spoke on his Irish connection and whether playing internationally in the near future is a possibility.

He said: "I think I could offer more now, but when I signed this longer term contract I understood what came with that from an international perspective...

"This club is an incredible club to play at and the rule is the rule. You've got to make peace with that...

"Look, I am a quarter Irish. My grandad is fully Irish.

"But if it involves moving it would sort of put me in the same situation as it would for England, it's the same rule.

"So yeah. There is always different things you can think about, but I think you would knacker yourself out if you're always thinking about changing, moving, going here or there.

"Sometimes you've got to accept your reality. I feel like my reality is pretty good. I'm pretty grateful for being part of this club."