The Japan Times - Willis happy with England exile after retains Top 14 player award

Willis was named player of the match in June's final as his side held off Montpellier to repeat Bordeaux's feat from 1904 to 1907 and Toulouse's success between 1994 and 1997.

He pipped Bordeaux-Begles fly-half Matthieu Jalibert and Clermont's former New Zealand playmaker Harry Plummer to the title.

The 29-year-old made the last of his 15 England appearances at the 2023 Rugby World Cup but has been unable to add to the tally as he features for a club abroad.

"When you make a decision, you have to take responsibility for it, you know what you sacrifice," Willis told reporters.

"It's something I still want to do, but rules are rules," he added.

Willis also qualifies for Ireland, but they also have selection laws restricting players based outside of the country.

"I'm a quarter Irish," he said.

"But they have the same rules as England.

"You need to do some digging, that's your job, you find the way (around the rules)," he jokingly challenged reporters.

In the other categories, Bordeaux-Begles winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey clinched the France player prize having scored 11 tries including four as Les Bleus edged England to lift the 2026 Six Nations.

Thursday marks one year to go to the Rugby World Cup with Les Bleus among the favourites for the Webb Ellis trophy.

"I think everyone wants to play well for their club before thinking about the France national team," Bielle-Biarrey said.

"Everyone has specific objectives with their clubs.

"Then during France international window we'll try and connect as quick as possible to avoid losing time," he added.

Pau's 20-year-old centre Fabie Brau-Boirie was named breakthrough player of the year while France flanker Lea Champon clinched the international women's award and Clermont hooker Mathilde Lazarko clinched the Elite 1 gong.

Fijian centre Setariki Bituniyata took the second-tier ProD2 award having been called up to the wider national squad for the first time in preparation for November’s Nations Championship Tests.

"Ever since I stepped foot in France my goal, objective has been to don the white jersey of the Flying Fijians," the 31-year-old said.

"There are a lot of good players in my position out there, it's hard to get in there," he added.

T.Shimizu--JT