Jack Willis is currently unable to play for England, but he has proven once again why he should. The winger’s performance on Saturday was itself an ‘exceptional situation’.
This is a flexibility clause in the RFU decree that prohibits the selection of players employed from outside the Premier League. Willis’ performance in the Champions Cup final, which marked Toulouse’s victory, was so unusual that the clause had to be activated.
Following the French club’s 31-22 win over Leinster, there was conflicting data about the Englishman’s huge impact. Some statisticians said he had 30 tackles, others said he had 41 tackles. Either way, he was a defensive machine as Toulouse won on the back foot, being outmatched in terms of possession and territory.
After suffering the shock of losing his job when the Wasps collapsed not long after his career had already been halted due to a horrific injury, it was great to see a good man and great player have a significant achievement to cherish.
The only disruption now is the harsh test banishment. Well, here’s another unusual situation. Playing against the All Blacks in New Zealand. This is what England need to do in July. Everyone must work together to carry out this difficult mission.
Jack Willis (center), who helped Toulouse win the Champions Cup
The flanker played a key role in his side beating Leinster 31-22 in Saturday’s final.
Steve Borthwick (pictured) should reconsider selecting Willis for England’s summer tour
However, due to date and political issues, Willis was unable to participate in that tour. June 28th marks the top 14 final and few expect Toulouse to be there.
England faces Japan six days ago in Tokyo. Rugby’s messy calendar doesn’t help this situation. Maybe one day we’ll have a truly global season and the pigs will fly.
It would be great to see England manager Steve Borthwick ignoring union policy and maliciously selecting Willis.
But he is not one to be swayed and these are particularly tense times as negotiations over a new club-country deal continue, making an act of mutiny over selection more unlikely than ever.
Instead, the Lions could be a viable target for Willis. That’s because there’s time to consolidate with a longer Australian tour next year.
If manager Andy Farrell is willing to accommodate a few late arrivals, the man who stands tall among the Galacticos of Europe’s preeminent clubs could have a decent chance.
And he will play for England again one day, when a Premiership club can afford to bring him home or when rugby finally loses the protectionist attitude that has been holding him back.
Some statisticians evaluated that Willis (left) completed more than 30 tackles during the finals, further enhancing his performance as a defensive machine.
Willis (centre) has recovered from the shock of the wasp’s death and is now thriving in France.
He will play for England again one day, if a Premiership club can afford to bring him back, or if rugby finally loses the protectionist attitude that is holding him back.
Brilliant Blair wins Champions Cup
Another Englishman from Toulouse showed his class and his easygoing character on Saturday. Blair Kinghorn has left France stalwart Thomas Ramos out of the starting XV again. This is quite surprising, and he completely justifies his inclusion.
The 27-year-old looked very relaxed, relaxed and unfazed despite the scale of the event. There was the casual catching of the ball above his head, the seemingly casual swing of his boot to project ball miles whether at goal or in open play, and the subtle changes in his line as he glided past defenders.
Then came the funny part where Kinghorn picked up his medal and pretended to ride his sponsor’s model zebra next to the podium before telling a joke to the TV cameras. He is a natural showman and rugby needs more showmen.
In a largely conformist sport, it’s great to see another free spirit rise to the top in much the same entertaining way as his brilliant compatriot Finn Russell.
Blair Kinghorn was pictured riding a model zebra after Toulouse’s Champions Cup win.
The Scottish star looked at ease on the big stage, looking languid and unfazed despite the enormity of the occasion.
Big tick for Tottenham
Tottenham — Big tick. What a great place for finals weekend. Not only is it a great stadium (right), it also has the friendliest staff who are very proud of it.
Compared to the blunt, cold and overly polite attitude from last year’s World Cup, it was great to see so much enthusiasm, courtesy and goodwill.
Around 35,000 spectators attended the Champions Cup final and Friday’s Challenge Cup final, the biggest crowd in over a decade, signifying a successful weekend for the organizers.
There is no doubt about it. London is well equipped to handle such a marquee event, but four of the last six finals have been held in England and it will be Cardiff’s turn again next year.
It’s so familiar.
The finals will begin in 2026, when they will be held in Bilbao, northern Spain. Rugby must continue to push into new territory, not just go around in circles.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium put on a glorious display for the Champions Cup final.
With around 35,000 fans in the stadium for the Challenge Cup final on Friday night, it was the biggest crowd ever for a final.
Bailiff Etzebeth looks set for another World Cup.
Champion players rise up when it counts. That was certainly the case for Antoine Dupont on Saturday afternoon, but it was also the case for Eben Etzebeth on Friday night.
Putting aside the brilliantly logical nonsense of a South African team participating in a ‘European’ cup, the veteran lock was a towering talisman as the Sharks became the first team to win one of these titles in their own country.
In recent years it has felt like some of the recognition for Etzebeth has been based on reputation rather than attractive form, but he was superb in extremely attacking fashion in the Challenge Cup final as the Sharks’ powerful pack were overpowered. Gloucester’s counterpart.
It feels like the Big Enforcer has been around forever, but he’s only 32 years old. At this rate, he could win another World Cup.
Eben Etzebeth was a huge talisman for the Sharks as they became the first team from South Africa to win the Challenge Cup.
The 32-year-old (top right) was excellent and looked like he could have another World Cup.
last words
There was commotion in Toulouse on Saturday night as the ‘Red Kingdom’ held a party to celebrate its sixth conquest of Europe.
The Place du Capitole in the heart of the city was packed with thousands of French fans, noisy and youthful euphoric under the haze. It was another glimpse into rugby’s Gallic boom.
It was encouraging to see the Gloucester fans struggle on a Friday night, but nowhere else comes close. Last weekend, more than 22,000 people gathered at Welford Road to watch Leicester complete a dismal league campaign, showing the Tigers remain the most supported club in England.
Thousands of fans gathered in Toulouse’s Place du Capitole to watch their team become European champions.
There were cheers after Toulouse beat Leinster, with fans jumping into the air to celebrate the win.
Even if another Premiership club wins the Champions Cup one day, it won’t create the same scenes as Toulouse, or La Rochelle in the last two years, or Clermont when ‘Les Jonards’ reached the final.
Rugby is more important in France and no amount of marketing, no matter how clever, can replicate that where soccer is king.
