Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'It’s over to Steve' - Coaches agreed on 'quality' England prospect

By PA
Tom Willis for the Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Saracens and Bristol Bears at StoneX Stadium on January 4, 2025 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Sam Mellish/Getty Images)

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall believes Tom Willis’ England debut is only a matter of time after the number eight spearheaded a 35-26 victory over Bristol at StoneX Stadium.

ADVERTISEMENT

Willis ran in two tries and was imperious throughout, mixing raw power with more subtle touches to finish man of the match as Saracens responded to their record Gallagher Premiership defeat at Bath last weekend with a bonus-point win.

England head coach Steve Borthwick has so far resisted the clamour to pick the 25-year-old, but with the Six Nations opener against Ireland looming on February 1, he has been presented with more compelling reasons to select the tackle-busting number eight.

Video Spacer

Champions Cup best SA XV not in SA teams | RPTV

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 3:30
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 3:30
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    Champions Cup best SA XV not in SA teams | RPTV

    Robbie Fleck and Nick Mallett pick their best South African XV playing in the Champions Cup, but not in South African teams. Watch the full episode on RugbyPass TV

    Watch now

    “Tom was outstanding and he’s been outstanding all season. I can’t remember a match where he hasn’t been outstanding,” McCall said.

    “He just needs to keep on doing what he’s doing. If he keeps putting in performances like this, I think he will get rewarded in the end.

    Attack

    133
    Passes
    196
    112
    Ball Carries
    140
    283m
    Post Contact Metres
    258m
    10
    Line Breaks
    8

    “He leads by example, by what he does, by getting over the gainline, by breaking tackles and making tackles – all of the things that you want your number eight to be able to do. He’s been a focal point all year.

    “He’s very curious and he wants to get better. He wants to be playing for England and he’s willing to do anything that he has to to make that happen. He’s a great guy to have around the team.”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Willis’ performance also caught the eye of Bristol boss Pat Lam, whose playing career was as a number eight for Samoa, as well as Newcastle and Northampton.

    “I was very impressed with Tom and I’ve been impressed with him all season,” Lam said.

    “The stats show he’s good, but I can also see that with my eyes. He sets stuff up and he’s been doing that all year. He’s a quality player who is in form.

    “It’s over to Steve (for England selection) and there are some good back rows, but certainly Tom is playing consistently well.”

    Bouncing back from the 68-10 rout at the Recreation Ground enabled England captain Jamie George to celebrate his 300th appearance for Saracens in style.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “Jamie showed all of his qualities out there – he was one of the best players on the field,” McCall said.

    “He’s played 300 games for us, 97 for England and three for the British and Irish Lions because of his competitive spirit and desire.

    “You don’t do it for this long unless you have that and very few people have the stamina to do it for a very long period of time.

    “But he’s able to combine that with being a really good bloke off the field. He cares deeply about what he does, about his team-mates and about the club.”

    Related


    To be first in line for Rugby World Cup 2027 Australia tickets, register your interest here 

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

    Argentina v France | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Men's Match Highlights

    New Zealand v Australia | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Women's Match Highlights

    Tokyo Sungoliath vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

    Reds vs Force | Super Rugby W 2025 | Full Match Replay

    The Rise of Kenya | The Report

    New Zealand in Hong Kong | Brady Rush | Sevens Wonders | Episode 4

    The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

    Trending on RugbyPass

    Comments

    1 Comment
    f
    fl 89 days ago

    "Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall believes Tom Willis’ England debut is only a matter of time"


    Hes already made his debut, actually.

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Features

    Comments on RugbyPass

    S
    Sally Thompson 9 minutes ago
    Exeter's Wallabies raid set to continue with two further signings

    Services of cryptocurrencies are indispensable for secure transactions and asset management, but the complexity of digital currencies can lead to challenges, especially in recovering lost Bitcoin or other digital assets. Specialized recovery services like Brigadia Tech Recovery become crucial in such critical situations. With the growing adoption of cryptocurrencies, protecting these assets has become paramount to avoid financial loss, security risks, and missed investment opportunities. Reliable solutions are essential, and Brigadia Tech Recovery emerges as a beacon of hope in this context. Brigadia Tech Recovery is renowned for its expertise in recovering lost Bitcoin and digital currencies, setting itself apart as the go-to solution for those grappling with lost funds. My personal experience with Brigadia Tech Recovery highlighted their unmatched proficiency. Despite not reaching out to them initially about my $144,000 in misplaced Bitcoin, they swiftly became the beacon of hope I desperately needed. Their efficiency in recovering my lost funds surpassed other services, emphasizing Brigadia Tech Recovery's position as the unsung hero of cryptocurrency recovery. Their team of experts possesses in-depth knowledge of digital assets, offering hope to individuals seeking to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. With advanced security features and an intuitive interface, Brigadia Tech Recovery ensures enhanced protection and seamlessly guides users through recovery. By providing clear instructions and personalized support, they make the daunting task of Bitcoin recovery hassle-free for investors of all levels. Brigadia Tech Recovery has a new standard in Bitcoin recovery solutions, providing investors with a reliable method to safeguard their digital assets. Their expertise, efficiency, and dedication to user experience establish them as a trusted partner in the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency. For anyone facing the distress of lost funds, brigadia tech remikeable, Stands ready to offer assistance and restore hope in challenging times. I am deeply grateful to know about Brigadia Tech Recovery. To learn more about Brigadia Tech Recovery, contact them

    Email:(Brigadia tec hremikeable (@) Proton (.) me)

    1 Go to comments
    S
    Sally Thompson 11 minutes ago
    Exeter's Wallabies raid set to continue with two further signings

    Services of cryptocurrencies are indispensable for secure transactions and asset management, but the complexity of digital currencies can lead to challenges, especially in recovering lost Bitcoin or other digital assets. Specialized recovery services like Brigadia Tech Recovery become crucial in such critical situations. With the growing adoption of cryptocurrencies, protecting these assets has become paramount to avoid financial loss, security risks, and missed investment opportunities. Reliable solutions are essential, and Brigadia Tech Recovery emerges as a beacon of hope in this context. Brigadia Tech Recovery is renowned for its expertise in recovering lost Bitcoin and digital currencies, setting itself apart as the go-to solution for those grappling with lost funds. My personal experience with Brigadia Tech Recovery highlighted their unmatched proficiency. Despite not reaching out to them initially about my $144,000 in misplaced Bitcoin, they swiftly became the beacon of hope I desperately needed. Their efficiency in recovering my lost funds surpassed other services, emphasizing Brigadia Tech Recovery's position as the unsung hero of cryptocurrency recovery. Their team of experts possesses in-depth knowledge of digital assets, offering hope to individuals seeking to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. With advanced security features and an intuitive interface, Brigadia Tech Recovery ensures enhanced protection and seamlessly guides users through recovery. By providing clear instructions and personalized support, they make the daunting task of Bitcoin recovery hassle-free for investors of all levels. Brigadia Tech Recovery has a new standard in Bitcoin recovery solutions, providing investors with a reliable method to safeguard their digital assets. Their expertise, efficiency, and dedication to user experience establish them as a trusted partner in the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency. For anyone facing the distress of lost funds, brigadia tech remikeable, Stands ready to offer assistance and restore hope in challenging times. I am deeply grateful to know about Brigadia Tech Recovery. To learn more about Brigadia Tech Recovery, contact them

    Email:(Brigadiatechremikeable (@) Proton (.) me)

    1 Go to comments
    f
    fl 34 minutes ago
    Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

    “Explain clearly how that’s not an achievement?”

    It is an achievement. It is less of an achievement than he managed with Barcelona. You said that ”He has gotten better with age. By every measure.” He hasn’t. Doesn’t mean he isn’t still extremely good though!


    ”I thought you don’t care what certain managers did 10 years ago…”

    are you really this incapable of understanding the context of what I’m saying? My point is that Gatland was a good coach ten years ago, and isn’t a good coach now. So what he did ten years ago is relevant to whether he was good ten years ago - that is pretty basic stuff.

    On the other hand, what Les Kiss did ten years ago isn’t relevant to how good he is now, just as what Gatland did ten years ago isn’t relevant to how good he is now.


    ”So you haven’t watched even a minute of Super Rugby this year?”

    I was replying to your comment, given you have the memory of a goldfish and are unable to scroll up, I’m remind you what you said:

    “Ireland won a long over due slam in 2009. The last embers of a golden generation was kicked on by a handful of young new players and a new senior coach. Kiss was brought in as defence coach and was the reason they won it. They’d the best defence in the game at the time. He all but invented the choke tackle. Fittingly they backed it up in the next world cup in their 2011 pool match against… Australia. The instantly iconic image of Will Genia getting rag-dolled by Stephen Ferris.”

    172 Go to comments
    I
    IkeaBoy 5 hours ago
    Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

    “Why are you so insistent on being wrong? Man United won in 2008 (beating Chelsea in the final). In 2009 Barcelona won, beating United.”

    Good lad, just checking. So you’re not a bot! Chelsea bombed the 2008 final more than United won it. John Terry… couldn’t happen to a nicer fella.


    “The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.”

    Again - you’re not correct. City won the CL in 2023, and made the final in 2021. Those are the only two CL finals they have made.”

    So the difference between 2021 and 2023 would of course be TWO YEARS. 24 months would account for 3 different seasons. They contested ECL finals twice in two years. The first in 2021 - which they lost - was still the first elite European final in the clubs then 141 year history. Explain clearly how that’s not an achievement? Guess what age he was then…


    “I think your take on Gatland is pretty silly. Gatland was without Edwards in the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours and managed to do alright.”

    I thought you don’t care what certain managers did 10 years ago…

    Why would I address Eddie Jones? Why would he be deserving of a single sentence?


    “I am aware Les Kiss has achieved great things in his career, but I don’t care what he did over ten years ago. Rugby was a different sport back then.”

    So you haven’t watched even a minute of Super Rugby this year?


    “lol u really need to chill out”

    Simply frightful! If you’re not a bot you’re at least Gen-Z?

    172 Go to comments
    LONG READ
    LONG READ No definites, but which Wales players could still make Lions squad? No definites, but which Wales players could still make Lions squad?
    Search