Quote: ThePrinter "Because he went to appear in that WC. The way England rushed him into the side it's obvious they were behind his move even if they claim it was all Bath. Probably why he went, because he was promised a WC spot.'"
And he played in that World Cup. Who knows, he might have played more (even if it was off the bench) had England not bombed out of the tournament after the group stages.
Now the question is does he fancy hanging around, learning a new position in the back row and trying to work his way back into the England side again to establish himself as first choice for the 2020 World Cup?
It'll probably involve some wet nights out on loan while he learns and makes his mistakes away from the spotlight of the Premiership. Playing in front of a few hundred at smaller clubs in the third tier doesn't necessarily strike me as the sort of thing that will inspire or motivate a player who wants to be involved in the big occasions.