Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall hopes Tom Willis’ latest man of the match performance in their Investec Champions Cup victory over the Bulls will finally make England boss Steve Borthwick ‘take notice’.
The number eight has been one of the form back-rowers in the Premiership this season, but was bizarrely omitted from England’s 36-man squad for the Autumn Nations Series.
‘Tom still stood out’
Willis was at the heart of Saracens’ 27-5 victory over the Bulls last night in their Investec Champions Cup opener. The barnstorming number eight made 40 metres from his 17 carries and also made himself incredibly busy in defence with 22 tackles as well. To put the cherry on top, he also scored a crucial try in the win and was named man of the match as a result.
This is the latest in a long line of stellar performances from the one-capped man, and boss McCall hopes he will finally attract the full attention of England boss Steve Borthwick.
“Tom has played well all year,” McCall said. “I know Steve Borthwick was keen to see how he was going to play at a higher level, and today we were playing against a big pack full of Springboks, and Tom still stood out.”
He added: “Hopefully they’ll take notice.”
Willis had been involved in the England training squad prior to the Autumn Nations Series, but he found himself inexplicably dropped from the squad altogether.
He won his one and only cap for England in a World Cup warm-up against Wales, again after some impressive performances in the Top 14 for Bordeaux, but has yet to add to his tally since.
The Saracens man did feature for England A in their recent 38-17 win over Australia A, starting at number eight.
How would Willis fit into the England back-row?
You would think after the season he’s been having, he will be drafted into the squad sooner rather than later, but his inclusion would likely lead to a back-row reshuffle.
Ben Earl, Willis’ Saracens teammate, has been Borthwick’s go-to man at eight since taking the reigns, but if Willis was to start then he would have to move Earl back to seven.
That then causes a selection headache at six as a result, with Tom and Ben Curry, Chandler Cunningham-South, Ted Hill and even Ollie Chessum – should he return in time for the Six Nations – fighting for just one spot.
But his form certainly deserves a call-up, and Borthwick should be keeping a keen eye on the Saracens man now.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/saracens-boss-hopeful-steve-borthwick-will-take-notice-of-england-snub-who-stood-out-against-a-pack-full-of-springboks
