Recent appearances for both club and country have highlighted Willis' importance to England. Photo: Reuters/Paul Childs
The season began with devastation for Jack Willis, with the news that his beloved Wasps had plunged into administration, ending in the bath of the Stade de France, the cradle of Bouklier de Brennus next to Antoine Dupont. The roller coaster doesn't justify it.
After a well-deserved party to celebrate Toulouse's top 14 win by beating La Rochelle 29-26 on Saturday night, Willis can finally rest. When he returns to action, England should build their World Cup team around him. Steve Borthwick knows that few options can be as valuable as absolute clarity in choosing the best lineup.
In the past six months, which included a strong six of nations and then a string of great performances in Toulouse's toughest games of the season, Willis has become one of England's most valuable men. As for Borthwick's forwards, Jamie George is likely to be in the same group given his lack of experience with prostitutes and uncertainty about Luke Cowan-Dickey's fitness.
The competition for places in the last rows is very tough. Take only a list of potential flankers. Courtney Lowes is a powerful leader. Tom Curry looked explosive in the Premier League decider. Lewis Ludlam was harassed in Test matches. Ben Earl wound up, as did Ben Curry before the serious injury. Sam Underhill returned to the camp. Just the other day, Borthwick was yelling about Tom Pearson's results on WattBike. Zach Mercer could move. Willis, however, is a special breed of openside; a dog of war that infuses the craft with power.
A season that began with disaster ended in glory for Jack Willis. Shutterstock/David Winter
The Top 14 final was an intoxicating kaleidoscope of noise, color, cute kicks and mind-blowing collisions. Willis thrived, as he did in the semi-final victory over Racing 92 in San Sebastian, and even during a tough European Cup defeat to Leinster.
Two minutes into the second period, the 26-year-old lashed out at Jonathan Dante for a turnover in his own 22. Toulouse passed through Romain Ntamak and the cameras moved to Willis, who was cheering his colleagues with what appeared to be a shout of «Allez».
About 12 minutes later, Willis stole the ball from another with a breakdown after chasing a Dupont free kick. This time, either he or Juan Cruz Mallia were fined for the illegal use of their hands in a ruck. On the whole, however, Willis was calm and reserved. In a strange moment after Toulouse's first attempt, he stepped back into position to restart, holding a new pair of boots.
Realizing that Antoine Hastoy's kick was flying towards him, he abandoned his shoes and caught the ball with his socks. Throughout the game there were powerful carries and nice offloads; reminders of his progress since joining Toulouse and how Willis adjusts to different game plans. He has the skills for a punch pressure pattern and smooth phase play.
Rugbirama described Willis' influence as «real poison dan les rucks rochelais» that needs no translation. It is common knowledge that the ratings of the players in L'Equipe gave him nine points out of 10. Only two other men, Pita Ahki and François Cros from Toulouse, achieved eight points.
Despite coaches begging referees to allow a quick pass at the World Cup, defensive aggression on the slip is sure to be key. Willis is precise but determined here. It could well be combined with Curry or Pearson, with one of the latter duets being in a blind flank position. Even if it reminds me of the Eddie Jones experiment, don't be surprised to see Curry being retried at the heart of the Lawes-Willis fight.
In the medium term, Willis will create several headaches for Rugby Union. First, how many England players will see his success and want to leave the Premier League to immerse themselves in the booming French club scene? Secondly, the case of Willis is a litmus test for the protocols of participation in the Six Nations of 2024 and beyond. Mood music suggests that, with a three-year contract extension at Toulouse, Willis will not be available in England after the World Cup, despite the Wasp's initial treatment of him as an exceptional circumstance.
Jack Willis showed perhaps his best performance in a Toulouse jersey against La Rochelle. Photo: Shutterstock/David Winter
One of the arguments in favor of maintaining the status quo is how exhausting it can be for players who travel from England to clubs and back during tournaments. Willis was not selected to play Scotland at the start of the Six Nations because his training was compromised. Borthwick may regret this call. On weekends, especially before France embarrassed England at Twickenham, Toulouse needed Willis. Who can blame them?
Bortwick has hinted that he will take part in the negotiations at a high level and is determined to fight for access to his best players. Willis is definitely considered one of them, which the coming months should highlight.
The denouement of Toulouse's triumph also served as a lesson. Willis was out of the field, pulling away in the 66th minute with La Rochelle leading 23-22. His replacement, Selevasio Tolofua, took eighth place and ran away from a squeaky melee that launched an attack that sent Ntamak sliding 65 meters to immortality.
The squad gives the team an opportunity to make a difference during the game. . England will have that luxury, but first they must build their best squad. Willis has become impossible to ignore.
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