Willis boys out to be dominant double act
NEALE HARVEY gets the lowdown on Wasps flanker Jack Willis and his younger brother Tom
Last month’s harrowing 38-19 defeat at Saracens is not an occasion Wasps will remember with affection. However, for back-row brothers Jack and Tom Willis it was a day they will relish forever after representing the black and gold together in the Premiership for the first time.
The pair have enjoyed a meteoric rise since their junior days at humble Reading Abbey – where their father, Steve, is a legend who played into his 40s – and Jack has been a leading light in a recent Wasps revival that has reignited their charge for domestic and European glory.
Jack, 20, was a member of the England U20s squad that lifted the Junior World Cup in 2016, while Tom captained England U18s in South Africa this August. Their shirts now adorn the clubhouse of Berkshire-based Abbey where their achievements are held in high esteem.
“It’s good recognition for Reading Abbey that we’ve managed to come through,” Jack told The
Rugby Paper. “We’ve both got our shirts on the wall now and it was a nice day we spent doing it recently with all our family and friends, who’ve supported us fantastically throughout.
“Both Tom and I played at Abbey from the age of six or seven and we used to watch our dad. He’s a back rower, too, and is not long retired from playing, so he’s a bit of a legend down there and it’s our family’s club through and through, although I always followed Wasps as well.
“For us to come through Reading Abbey and then play together for Wasps at Saracens in the Premiership for the first time made it a very special day. It was shame about the result, but Tom came on and made an impact and it was a hugely enjoyable afternoon.”
After featuring prominently for Wasps this season, Jack’s task now is to nail down a regular back row starting place and capitalise on the Test promise he showed at age group level.
He said: “Last year’s U20s World Cup was a fantastic experience and every rugby player’s dream is to play for your country, but it’s about being a very good player for Wasps first.
“Wasps had some very good teams in the past, with pretty inspirational back rowers like Lawrence Dallaglio, Serge Betsen and James Haskell during their trophy-winning years. It’s pretty surreal playing alongside Hask now, who was part of those great sides.
“But there are lots of other top quality back rowers fighting for places here, too, so for me it’s about working really hard now to ensure I get more opportunities. If not, I’ll have to remain patient and not get frustrated because you know more chances will come.”
At 6ft 3in (1.91m) and 17st (108kg), Willis cuts an imposing figure. He has tried to learn from the best, adding: “The main people I looked up to during my junior days were Richie McCaw and George Smith, so to then have George at Wasps was a pretty cool experience and I gleaned as much from him as I could in terms of extras after training and video analysis.
“He was brilliant in helping with different aspects of my game and Hask has always been helpful as well. Tom and I are progressing; we want to make an impact.”