England flank 'dreaming' of Lions call-up despite Toulouse commitments
TOP 14 WRAP: Toulouse’s English flank Jack Willis said he dreams of playing for the British and Irish Lions this year, after scoring two tries in a 63-21 hammering of Vannes in the French Top 14.
Willis, 28, captaining Toulouse while the club’s French stars are away on international duty, crossed twice in the first 36 minutes against the promoted Breton side as the champions extended their lead atop of the table over second-placed Bordeaux-Begles to five points.
Willis, who joined title favourites Toulouse in 2022, is ineligible for England as he plays club rugby outside the country.
The Top 14 semifinals and final clash with the two opening games of the June-August Lions tour of Australia but no rule blocks a French-based player from representing the touring outfit.
“It’s a dream for me, but as I’ve said in the past, I’ll continue playing here,” Willis told Canal+.
“I’ll do my job here and I still want to progress and give 100 percent to Toulouse.”
“That’s my focus,” added Willis, who won the last of his 15 England caps in September 2023 and whose younger brother Tom, who is with Saracens, is in the England squad.
Another potential Lion also starred for Toulouse as Scotland fullback Blair Kinghorn crossed the whitewash during a break weekend in the Six Nations.
Toulouse were without 10 France players, including Antoine Dupont, being rested by Les Bleus on a week off from the tournament.
France lock Emmanuel Meafou was in the stands at Stade Ernest-Wallon after being named in France’s 42-man squad to prepare for next Saturday’s trip to Ireland.
Giant lock Meafou has been sidelined since February 8’s Six Nations loss to England with a lung infection.
“He’s trained well all week, that’s why he’s been called up,” Toulouse assistant coach Jean Bouillhou told reporters.
“He’s prepared physically and has put things in place to play next week,” he added.
Later on Saturday, Bordeaux-Begles glided past lowly Perpignan 29-17 to go above Toulon, who lost 27-20 at Lyon.
Winger Jon Echegaray scored the quickest try in Top 14 history, crossing after 10 seconds for Bordeaux-Begles beating Thibault Lassalle’s effort for Oyonnax in 2014 by one second.
On Sunday, the in-form partnership of Willis’ ex-England team-mate Manu Tuilagi and Fiji centre Sireli Maqala start in midfield as Bayonne host Clermont.
Super Rugby Pacific
Rugby’s best of the best, ranked by experts. Check out our list of the Top 100 Men's Rugby Players and let us know what you think!
