WORLD OF HURT
Coach has faith in Willis after Wasps anguish
JACK WILLIS was picked by England at breakfast and made redundant by Wasps at lunch.
Told he was a part of an elite 36-man squad given first dibs at booking a World Cup place – then informed he was on the list of the condemned.
The 25-year-old has endured two horror knee injuries – one that caused his anguished cry to echo around an empty Twickenham during a lockdown Test.
But nothing hurt quite like seeing one of rugby’s greatest names wiped off the sporting map and being one of 167 players and staff made redundant.
At a stroke the six-time champions and twice kings of Europe were no more on what joint administrator Andrew Sheridan termed a “dark day for English rugby”.
Wasps legend Lawrence Dallaglio put it in perspective when saying only the loss of his sister Francesca, 19, in the 1989 Marchioness riverboat disaster, had hurt him more. “It’s like losing a limb,” said the World Cup winner.
Sheridan confirmed in a statement that Wasps Holdings Limited – the holding company for Wasps rugby (men and women) and netball teams – had ceased trading with immediate effect.
He also acknowledged Dallaglio’s point that it was “devastating” news for “anyone who has ever been involved with this great club”. And he warned of an “incredibly challenging time” for all involved – a group which includes Willis and Abby Dow, currently on England duty at the Women’s World Cup.
Eddie Jones, at Twickenham to unveil his autumn squad, said he felt for the club, its players, staff and fans – but told Willis he just had to get his head down and carry on.
“Good players get on with it and Jack has to,” he said.
“Everyone feels for Wasps but Jack has an opportunity now and he’s got to make the most of it. Jack’s got a history of resilience [dealing with injury] and he’s a good, tough kid. There’s no reason why he won’t make the most of this.”
In time, doubtless he will, but for now it is just too raw for all involved – as it remains for those at Worcester Warriors who suffered the same fate.
There is a flicker of hope in whispers of a merger between Wasps and London Irish, another club precariously placed financially.
But until English club rugby restructures it remains a loss maker unable to wash its face.