Trying to explain to the French rugby public why Jack Willis has been left out of both of England’s match-day squads to date at the World Cup is easier said than done.
The openside flanker has proved a revelation since his move to Toulouse last November, helping the club to the Top 14 title. French fans see Toulouse players make up the bulk of Les Bleus’ side and cannot help but wonder why Willis cannot get into a decidedly inferior England side.
They do not have to wait much longer – Willis is set for his first England appearance against Chile on Saturday – but so far it has been a bit like if Erling Haaland could not make the cut for Norway. Manchester City supporters, you sense, would not find that easy to fathom.
It has been suggested that Willis did himself no favours with his showing against Fiji – not that many of his teammates did – but it cannot have been easy as the “local” in the England squad, having to sit on the sidelines.
“We all want to be involved, as a player you don’t want to be running up the touchlines doing fitness sessions, you aspire to be playing in these sorts of big games and that is something that continues among everybody,” says Willis. “That drive I would say, but equally when you are not involved, as and when that opportunity comes, you are as ready as you can be.”
Willis puts his omission to date down to the fierce competition in the back row – even if Tom Curry’s suspension might have opened the door against Japan – but as a breakdown specialist, he can show his worth against Chile. Given England’s propensity to kick, winning turnovers can be a valuable asset and there are few better in that area than Willis.
“You’ll see an increase in competitiveness at the breakdown,” says the 26-year-old. “You saw how much that put off the flow of Australia’s game [against Fiji]. The big thing is that it can change depending on the referee and the competition you’re playing in.
“Each ref has reffed in a different league for that season, has a different style and you have got to make sure you’re adapting as a jackaller specifically; making sure you know their trends, what they look for and that picture.
“I’d always try to work with the analyst to get their last few games, turnovers awarded, penalties given against and try to work towards what I see as trends within that.
“We all know there are some refs that will let the breakdown unfold and talk to you a bit, and there are others that will just want to close that off, and if they see anything untoward will penalise. You can tweak, ref to ref.”
The key, however, for Willis and others who will get their chance to impress against Chile with Steve Borthwick set to make a number of changes, is to stick to the script. “I don’t think my mindset changes,” says Willis. “I grew up as a little boy wanting to play for England and that raw determination has not changed.
“I’ve come back from a couple of injuries that made me think I’ll never get this opportunity again and I chuck myself into it as much as I can. Obviously I want to be playing and I want to be featuring, but for me it’s ‘head down’ and be ready for when it comes.
“I don’t think I’d find it too difficult. I’ve spent long [periods of] time not playing rugby, I spent a year out with my knee and, believe me, you think about it a hell of a lot when you’re sat with crutches or struggling away with your rehab.
“I just want to make sure if and when I get my opportunity I maximise it to the best of my ability. For me, emotionally, you don’t want to build yourself up too much but I think I’d be able to get myself into a good place.”
So is a World Cup in France a “home” World Cup for Willis? “I’ve had my French taken the mick out of a few times, [the squad] just going, ‘ello mate, can I have this?’ and I try it in French and they’re taking the mick out of me. But I try to help when I can and translate minimally when I can.
“I’ve been welcomed in with open arms at Toulouse and I probably didn’t expect that. I was pretty nervous, probably didn’t have any expectations. I get a bit of stick for being a rosbif.
“I really have enjoyed it and have made some really good mates there. There’s a good group of foreigners, as I’m now labelled, as part of the foreigner gang. They have welcomed me and my family as well.”
