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Anthony Watson considers joining England player exodus from the Premiership

Anthony Watson looks on - Anthony Watson considers joining England player exodus from the Premiership - Getty Images/Dan Mullan
Anthony Watson looks on - Anthony Watson considers joining England player exodus from the Premiership - Getty Images/Dan Mullan

Anthony Watson is considering leaving English rugby after the Rugby World Cup with the international winger currently in talks with clubs in France and Japan, Telegraph Sport understands. Any move abroad could signal the end of his Test career.

Watson, 29, was a positive from England's Six Nations campaign after returning from injury to feature throughout the championship, scoring against Wales.

The British and Irish Lions starter joined Leicester Tigers last summer on a one-year deal, after nine years with his previous club, Bath. Watson revealed in an exclusive interview with Telegraph Sport last year that he accepted a reduced salary to join Leicester in order to have a contract for the 2022-23 season.

Staying in the Gallagher Premiership after the Rugby World Cup concludes later this year however is proving to be a challenge, given the salary cap will remain at a reduced figure of £5m next season (before a planned return to £6.4m in 2024).

While a new contract in the Premiership has not been ruled out, Watson is now considering offers from overseas. L'Equipe have reported that Castres are one of the French clubs to speak with Watson, with those talks ongoing.

Joining clubs in either the Top 14 or Japan Rugby League One would mean the end of Watson's international career due to the Rugby Football Union's stance of not selecting players based overseas, with the exception of players from Wasps and Worcester Warriors this season. Watson however would remain eligible for selection for the Rugby World Cup.

Other England players from Steve Borthwick's squad to have agreed moves to France next season include lock David Ribbans (Toulon) and centre Joe Marchant (Stade Francais), while flanker Jack Willis is now expected to stay with Toulouse. Second-row Joe Launchbury has been playing in Japan but is set to return this summer to join Harlequins.

Watson, who made his debut for England in the 2014 Six Nations and has since started for the Lions in both 2017 and 2021, has won 61 Tests caps scoring 23 tries.