WILLIS ON ENGLAND PATH AGAIN AFTER AWFUL INJURIES FORCED CAREER-CHANGE THOUGHTS
JACK WILLIS is back on the road to the England back-row after Wasps’ turnover king was thinking of plumbing as an alternative.
Willis, 23, was picked for the Red Roses’ tour to South Africa in 2018, but missed out on a Test debut after being injured in the Premiership semi-final.
He spent a total of 18 months out of rugby with knee and ankle damage during which time, with the fragility of a rugby career suddenly brought into focus, he retrained as a plumber.
“It probably hit home when I did have the injury that rugby isn’t going to last forever and to have something outside is crucial,” said Willis, who is Wasps’ leading try scorer this season with 10 in all competitions.
“So my brother and team-mate Tom and I took on the evening plumbing course with Warwickshire College Group. It was great and for me it was nice to have that other focus.
“I fitted a kitchen tap for my parents last week.
I’m not sure if they’ll be calling me back – it hasn’t leaked yet so fingers crossed. I put a lot of time into it. It took me a good few hours to work out if I was doing it all right.”
Running hot again with play-off chasing Wasps, Willis is on target to break the Premiership’s turnover record of 37. He leads the field this season on 33 with six regular games remaining.
The twist to the way the breakdown is being refereed since the restart, which is intended to serve quicker ball but also a cleaner shot at pilfering possession, plays right into his hands.
“It’s only going to help him, but let’s not forget he was getting turnovers before that,” said Wasps head coach Lee Blackett (below). “He is really aggressive in his mindset and breakdownwise he is proving himself to be one of the best in the Premiership. He will keep getting better and is the one in the coaches’ office, asking for every ounce of advice.” England coach Eddie Jones has been watching, and Willis added: “If anything comes from England, it would be great. I’ve dreamed of it since I was a lad.”