Where there’s a WILL

YOUNG FLANKER JACK RELISHES CHANCE TO SHOW WHAT HE’S GOT IN WASPS FIRST STRING

Playing against and alongside those players is incredible and a bit surreal. Not many years ago I was watching them play for their country. Jack Willis

HOW much development is it possible for a young player to make in 22 months?

I ask the question relative to Wasps flanker Jack Willis since, should his accelerated progress continue at the current rate, involvement at Japan 2019 is, in my opinion, far from out of the question.

My pre-season assertion that better Englishqualified 20-year-olds are thin on the ground did not meet with universal approval among the social media chattering classes.

And although I take the point that Messrs Isikwe, Curry and now Smith are currently in the England squad, while Willis potentially still has three players ahead of him at his club, from the evidence of the last few weeks, that may all change. And fast.

In truth, Willis seems a little nonplussed by all the fuss about the rapid progress he has made since being promoted to Wasps’ senior squad over the summer, and in the time honoured fashion is sticking to the golden “one step at a time” rule. “You can never predict how squads can change with injuries,” he says, “but our situation this season at Wasps has given me the opportunity and I’ve really enjoyed the chances I’ve had. “Every time I come on I’ve got to try to make an impact as it’s my chance to impress. That’s my aim whenever I come on. Even for one minute on the pitch, that’s my target. “The Anglo-Welsh Cup was a big opportunity for me and the other young guys as, if we could play well, when we move back into the Premiership we may get some more opportunities.” Willis has got upclose-and-personal with Maro Itoje, Tom Wood and Chris Robshaw in recent weeks, while being part of a team that includes James Haskell and Nathan Hughes – England internationals all. He admits with a smile, that this would have seemed a ridiculous thought not that long ago, and goes on to add just how helpful this has been to his development. “Playing against and alongside those players is incredible and a bit surreal, as not that many years ago I was watching them play for their country,” he says.

“But it’s also a good experience, and you’ve got to try and get it out of your head and just focus on the game. I’ve learned masses from the Premiership and European stuff, and you can’t replace those experiences with anything else.

“Playing alongside some of the players we’ve got means I’m constantly learning.

“James Haskell’s always looking to help me out, doing extras with me after training sessions and Thomas Young does as well at the breakdown. I’m always trying to learn from those guys who are crucial players to the squad.”

Willis honed his skills last season with a spell at National One Coventry, where he made a huge impact.

“My time at Coventry was really important,” he says.

“The set-up there is brilliant and it was good for me, Owain James and Tom Howe to get those opportunities, which got us ready to come back for the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

“I’m keeping an eye on their scores this year, and definitely see them being promoted – they’re doing very well.”

The Willis family album gained a new page at Saracens last month, when Jack was joined in Wasps’ back-row in the closing stages by his younger brother Tom in what he described as a “special” moment.

“It was a fantastic day,” he says, “although it was a bit of shame about the result!”