a heavyweight 2nd line and a pair of crazy centers

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Since his arrival in Toulouse in November 2022, Jack Willis has played 33 Top 14 matches in the Pink City jersey. A true part of Ugo Mola’s system, the Englishman is now experienced in the games of the French elite.

Guest on Danny Care’s podcast recently, Jack Willis had to make choices. The Harlequins scrum-half asked him to choose, position by position, his dream XV of the Top 14.

Jack Willis’ dream XV: very heavy in front

To begin his composition, the Briton opted for a first line that would undoubtedly please Fabien Galthié with Cyril Baille and Uini Atonio who would surround Peato Mauvaka or Julien Marchand. “Both are incredible players, I think they are the best in the world and I can’t make a choice,” underlines the native of Reading.

In the process, Jack Willis chose a second line which risks frightening more than one person. “I’m going to try to stick to the French tradition with a fairly massive front five… I don’t know what the touchline will look like, but the scrum will be incredible” laughed the Toulouse native before lining up Will Skelton and Emmanuel Meafou.

On the third line side, it is un trio toulousain who wins the votes. As “shadow workers, ready to give everything for the team” Jack Willis selects Anthony Jelonch and François Cros. Alexandre Roumat inherits number 8 to relieve the sidelines.

No surprises at the hinge, pair of island centers

It is not at the hinge that surprises will appear in Jack Willis’ dream XV. Antoine Dupont is his scrum half, “for his return, he scored a hat-trick in nine minutes, it was aberrant” adds his teammate. Subsequently, Romain Ntamack will be the opener for this group. A great classic, but a hinge that has no equal for the 27-year-old Englishman.

Place in the centers for Jack Willis who wants to rely first of all on “a player who shines in big matches and who never disappoints” in the person of Pita Ahki. Alongside the Tongan, it is Sireli Maqala who would play the role of dynamiter: “the support, the power… he has a lot of qualities. I played against him several times and I would like to have him on my team« .

A complementary trio at the back

For the last three places in his “dream team”, Jack Willis does not hesitate with Blair Kinghorn and Damian Penaud on the wings and a full-back position reserved for Thomas Ramos capable of “illuminating and making the difference in no matter what encounter.”

With an ultra-powerful front five, an agile and above all very combative third line, a five-star hinge and three-quarters each as dangerous as the other, the coach Jack Willis can sleep peacefully.

A team that should travel quite peacefully indeed!

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