Sometimes categorized as a low-down player, the Toulouse flanker proved at the start of the season that he was much more than a simple tackling and scratching machine.
There is no greater talent than knowing how to adapt. Upon his arrival in France, Jack Willis was seen, sometimes rightly so, as the Beast, this little-known character of whom we only perceive the aggressiveness and harshness in combat, in a style of English flanker little appreciated in France. Through his extraordinary skills in tackling and in the ruck phases, the former XV de la Rose player brought to Toulouse a “naughty” side which greatly helped Ugo Mola to build an almost flawless squad, winner of three titles majors in two years. It is not for nothing that in the absence of its favorite Englishman at the beginning of October, Toulouse conceded two defeats against UBB and Castres, while being in difficulty on the ground game. But upon his return Jack Willis showed that he was not just a ferocious beast, capable of knocking down three opponents to do a counter-ruck. He is also a brilliant ball player and an undisputed leader, who knew how to blend into his new environment.
A captaincy that gives wings
His words and his attitude on the pitch even led Stade Toulouse to promote him captain during the international period. “He is a player who has great leadership in the fight, a leadership that we find in the locker room,” admired Virgile Lacombe, one of the Toulouse staff coaches, a few weeks ago. A responsibility which allowed him to shine the spotlight, with many more races with the ball, many more initiatives and two tries, against Perpignan and Racing 92. “If you had asked me before, I you would have answered that I love playing when it rains, he told us at the start of the season. But I have changed. Now, I love the sun like I am in Toulouse” The adopted Haut-Garonnais then took advantage of this busy period to collect rewards. Crowned with the Europe Midi Olympique Oscar, he was also highlighted by his club with a very long-term extension, until 2029. The opportunity to remember that destiny has nothing to do with it: “I think sincerely that, if Wasps had not experienced this bankruptcy, I would still be there and I would probably have spent my entire career there. »It would have been a shame for Stade Toulouse and for the Top 14.
France
Rugby
