Wasps secure red-hot Jack’s future at Ricoh
WASPS have moved quickly to secure the long-term services of Jack Willis after back-to-back man-of-the-match displays.
The 21-year-old has been the blackand-golds’ star man against Leicester Tigers and Harlequins, backing up a huge effort in Wasps’ home win over Ulster three weeks ago.
In a busy Wednesday for the club, second row Will Rowlands also put pen to paper on a new deal, joining the likes of Elliot Daly, Joe Launchbury, Tom Cruse, Rob Miller, Alex Rieder, Ashley Johnson and Josh Bassett in extending their stay at the Ricoh Arena.
However, with back-row aces James Haskell and Guy Thompson heading for pastures new this summer, it is the retention of Willis’ services that was a pressing concern, especially after his display under the glare of BT Sports cameras on Sunday drew praise from all quarters.
“We are thrilled that Jack has signed a new deal, as he has really progressed rapidly over the last 18 months,” said Director of Rugby Dai Young.
“To move as quickly as he has from being an academy player to producing stand-out displays against seasoned internationals in the Premiership and Europe speaks volumes about his talent and attitude. “We believe he has a very bright future ahead of him, and that he will be an integral part of what we are building here at Wasps for many years to come.” In a breakthrough season for Willis, 17 of his 25 appearances have come this campaign, peaking with his displays against Tigers and Quins. Willis said: “I’ve been fortunate to get a few opportunities this year and I’m chuffed to extend my stay at Wasps.
“If you look at the coaching staff and players here it’s clear the club is going places. My focus now is on getting my head down and working hard to help us achieve the best things we can this season and in the future.”
Meanwhile, Young believes Rowlands has a great inspirational figure at Wasps after the 26-year-old extended his stay.
““Our second rows all have a role model in Joe Launchbury, and as a group they form a formidable unit,” he said. “Will is still improving as a player, and we are really pleased that he will be part of our journey during the coming years.” KYLE Eastmond will miss five Aviva Premiership games after being handed a six-week suspension following his red card against Harlequins.
The Wasps centre (pictured) was dismissed by Wayne Barnes at The Stoop on Sunday following a dangerous tackle on Marcus Smith after 17 minutes.
Despite being reduced to 14 men, Dai Young’s side rallied to claim a 44-22 win to return them to third in the table ahead of Sunday’s clash with Exeter Chiefs at the Ricoh Arena.
The 28-year-old appeared before an independent disciplinary panel consisting of Sean Enright (chair), Leon Lloyd and Tony Wheat, in Coventry on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to the charges put before him.
Eastmond was also cited by independent citing commissioner Paul Burke for a separate dangerous tackle on Harlequins’ Ross Chisholm contrary to law 9.13 in the 15th minute of the same match.
Panel chairman Sean Enright said: “The panel determined that each individual offence merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks. Thereafter the player was entitled to full 50% mitigation on account of his guilty plea, clear record and remorse for both incidents. This reduced the sanction on each charge to three weeks. The panel determined that these periods should run consecutively meaning a total ban of six weeks.
“We were satisfied that the running of the sanctions consecutively was proportionate to the level of overall offending to all of the circumstances.”
Eastmond’s suspension means he will miss clashes with Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester Rugby, London Irish, Leicester Tigers and Worcester Warriors.
The rugby league convert’s ban ends on Tuesday, April 17, freeing him up for the final three games of the regular Aviva Premiership season against Worcester Warriors, Northampton Saints and Newcastle Falcons.
We are thrilled that Jack has signed a new deal, as he has really progressed rapidly over the last 18 months