Lions idea is a non-starter for Jack Willis: Benjamin Kayser

Jack Willis should play out his season with Toulouse and not be tempted into asking for a Lions release.

With the Top 14 final on June 28, Lions coach Andy Farrell has raised the possibility of top French clubs allowing potential tourists to miss the play-offs so they can head off Down Under. It would mean they would not have to miss the first two games of the Lions tour.

However, former France hooker Benjamin Kayser says such an idea is a non-starter.

“The Lions is complicated. It’s not a French thing. It’s impossible for French clubs and players to understand,” said Kayser.

“Should Jack ask (Toulouse coach) Ugo Mola not to play him in a Top 14 final? You can’t ask him to.

“It’s impossible to ask a player: ‘Do you prefer your mum or your dad?’ That is basically the question.

“I played with Nathan Hines, and he had to make exactly that decision. You take it not knowing if you are going to go to the final or not. He was torn but went with the Lions. Perpignan did get to the final that year (in 2009) and won it.

“Jack should absolutely play for the Lions; otherwise, the only people who will be happy will be the Australians because they are not going to have to deal with him.

“But even if he is on the reserve list, I don’t see how there’s not going to be an injury in the first three weeks, and then they can just call him up.”

Willis has played himself into contention despite being prevented from adding to his 14 England caps as an overseas-based player. He will have one final chance to state his case in Sunday’s Champions Cup semi-final against Bordeaux before Farrell names his squad next Thursday (May 8).

“He is absolutely adored in Toulouse – a sensational player,” said Kayser.

“How many foreigners have you seen captain Toulouse? That’s a huge testament of respect. The last one was Jerome Kaino, who was a double World Cup winner.

“There is a ton of competition in his position but Jack Willis plays every single game. He is so good.

“It makes me very happy that a young man took the risk of leaving England to grow as a person, and it is paying dividends. He looks genuinely happy. He always has a big smile on his face. He is a Top 14 champion, a Champions Cup champion, and a world-class player.

“The adventure I think, is very central in rugby. He has really embraced the culture, he speaks really good French and has fitted in beautifully. His kids will be little Frenchies because they are little sponges. For me, that’s a beautiful story.

“I hope he stays as long as he wants. If he goes back to England, he will be a better man and a better player, and England will pick up the fruits of that. It’s just because of a stupid rule that is self-inflicted that they don’t benefit from that now.”

Premier Sports shows every Investec Champions Cup game live. Benjamin Kayser joins Ross Harries, Simon Zebo, Chris Robshaw, John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie and Ryle Nugent for live coverage of Bordeaux-Begles against Stade Toulousain this Sunday on Premier Sports 1 from 2.30pm. To watch, visit www.premiersports.com