Manu Tuilagi, who wants to play for France, admits he will miss playing for England but is excited about the team’s future.
The 32-year-old center left Sale Sharks at the end of the season and signed a two-year deal with top 14 side Bayonne.
His 60th international cap, which came in England’s Six Nations loss to France in March, marked the end of a 13-year international career for the Samoa-born star after he became a naturalized international.
RFU rules state that players leaving the Premier League are not eligible for international selection.
Tuilagi told BBC North West Tonight: “It’s hard because I still want to play (for England), but I’ve learned that you can’t always get what you want. “I’ll miss it, but I’ll be a fan now.
“Ireland’s last two games of the Six Nations went to France and they went straight to the final. It was really exciting. It’s great to see the players continue to improve. I think there’s a lot of growth in that team. I’m a fan and I’m really excited. .”
