Jack’s joy at Wasps deals
WASPS made a ‘great statement’ to the rest of the league when 15 players signed new contracts earlier this month, according to one of the key men who put pen to paper – England hopeful Jack Willis.
The flanker, who was a standout performer prior to the coronavirus pandemic enforced suspension of the rugby season, was on a star-studded list of squad members to extend their stays at the Coventry-based club earlier this month alongside England stars Joe Launchbury, Brad Shields and Dan Robson.
Also on the list were internationals Matteo Minozzi and Thomas Young, this season’s top try scorer Zach Kibirige and academy products Jacob Umaga, Alfie Barbeary, Gabriel Oghre,
Tom Willis, Tom West, Will Porter and Sam Spink.
“It’s a great statement to make to have so many guys committing,” said Willis. “A core group of players committing to quite a few more years at the club, hopefully, and we can build a core group. There’s a lot of young lads that have re-signed as well and it’s nice to see the academy guys coming through as I did a few years ago, so it’s great.”
For Willis it was a case of deja vu having only extended his deal in May as Wasps locked in the talents of a player who tops the division’s turnover charts and has scored eight tries in 18 appearances across all competitions this term.
“On a personal level I’m chuffed to re-sign and commit to the club,” he said. “They’ve been a massive part of my development and given me many opportunities so I’m always grateful to be given that opportunity to re-sign.”
Having been called up for England’s summer tour to South Africa in 2018, Willis cruelly suffered an knee ligament rupture in the Premiership semi-final loss to Saracens. His ahead-ofschedule return from knee and ankle surgeries was short-lived in the 2018/19 campaign, making just three appearances before being sidelined once more.
However, following the extended summer due to the
Rugby World Cup, Willis hit the ground running this term, scoring tries in both of his first two appearances and has been a shining light for the Black and Golds both in attack and defence.
This culminated in a stunning interception try from inside his own half from the tail of a lineout in March’s 39-22 victory over Gloucester – Wasps’ last outing before lockdown.
His form led to calls for international recognition with many believing he would’ve been among the touring party for England’s summer trip to Japan prior to its cancellation.
With Operation Restart set to see the Gallagher Premiership reconvene in under three weeks’ time, Willis stressed he felt no added pressure to ‘restart’ his own stunning form after what will be a 23-week gap between matches if he is involved against Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens on August 16.
“When I go out there on the pitch my sole focus is to go out and work as hard as I can for the team,” said the 23-year-old.
“Personally I always put that pressure on myself regardless. I always want to perform and play as well as I can and I think that pressure’s going to be there whether you’re running out in front of no fans or you could have 80,000 people there.
“It doesn’t really make a difference for me, my sole focus is to try and get stuck into the game and do the best for the team.”
It’s a great statement to make to have so many guys committing. There’s a lot of young lads that have re-signed as well. Jack Willis