Tom Willis can give England a new thunderous dimension in its first start in the test rugby, having compared with a powerful Springbok legend that passes through the nickname 'Thor'.
Saracens No 8, 26, has won a place in the initial XV of Steve Borthwick as the due reward for his remarkable impact this season at the Club level. It will align for Le Crunch against France who has faced face to face with the main galics for a year in Bordeaux, before returning home to become the supreme carrier of the Premier League, which has defeated many more defenders than anyone During this campaign.
Its area of greatest influence has become an area of concern for England. Having greatly trusted Manu Tuilagi and Billy Vunipola for the profit feats of the profit line, there has been a lack of such influences from the route since that couple joined the Crucado Cruzado player Exodus to put an end to their races International
Enter the youngest brother Willis. While Jack is in Toulouse, which means that it is not available for the selection, Tom is available and Borthwick has realized that this formidable driving force is needed. Their inclusion for a first test start should mean that the French feels crunch, not just English. The local team has to meet fire with fire, so the newcomer at the base of the Scrum has been chosen as a dangerous incendiary device.
Having had Ben Earl acting like a square plug in a round hole during the last 18 months, Borthwick has chosen to display a specialist again. This makes sense, according to former England no 8 Nick Easter, who is now training with the United States, and Chinnor in the championship. “I think it's the right call,” he told Mail Sport. Back the inclusion of Willis, to obtain a better balance for the back row of England.
Easter felt that the late resurgence of England in Dublin last weekend, before succumbing to a 27-22 defeat, was founded to secure the foot-standing ball thanks to the hard task for people like Ollie Chesum and Ollie Lawrence . Willis can provide that impulse from the beginning against France.
Tom Willis can give England a new thunderous dimension in its first start in the test rugby
Saracens No 8, 26, has earned a place in the initial XV of England for the clash of France
“Willis will add a lot,” he said. 'It's bright. His statistics speak for themselves. He has defeated most defenders in the Premier League. He is the guy who will attract defenders and create space for others. He is a Duane Vermeulen-Type no 8 '' is Vermeulen who is known as Thor, as an acclaimed South African rugby icon. England fans will feel encouraged by the comparison.
Easter added: 'Willis will not be in the wide channels doing glory hunting and luxury role; He will be the guy who lowers the head, doing the graft and is simply taking a meter or two in tight situations, out of the slow ball. And when you have some flow, it will be difficult to stop. I am a big fan.
'It is also the right selection because he has experience in playing in France. He knows his boys and will have even less respect, in the right way, than most other players in England, because he will understand what it is, in the French rugby. Then, it will bring that attitude, as well as the very necessary physical presence and power against a very large French herd.
There is an aggressive advantage in the Willis game, which has been evident since it emerged as a young prospect in Wasps. He banned in the middle of the fierce physicality of the Top 14 League in his season in Bordeaux and added Steel to Sarracens's pack from his arrival.
In this sense, Easter can also see distinctive seals of Vermeulen and the Springboks. “What it has, and the South Africans also have this, is real hardness and resistance,” he said. 'Many boys who are naturally aggressive are beaten at the beginning of a game and can disappear. Tom Willis is resistant, so he will continue, looking for battles and will be supported. That can be really inspiring.
France will come to Twickenham armed with one of the world's great 8s, Gregory Alldritt, who has captured his country and led his profit line load for many years. Willis has the same height as the talisman La Rochelle, five kilos heavier and able to play in a similar way.
France walked to a 43-0 victory over Ireland in its first game of the six nations last Friday
There is an advantage in Willis's game, which has been evident since it emerged as a prospect
“Not only is he doing the hard yards of nine and 10, he is also out of the ruck, which is returning to the game,” said Easter. 'You see an opportunity and Alldritt does it very well, attacking those channels around the guard. It is supported to stand up and throw a heavy ball, to use Crickt's language.
'It's hard to tear down. He has both feet on the deck often, turning and turning. He has a great “bathroom” in him, his butt, so the boys beat him and cannot knock him out of his passage. It is able to mount those cups without playing with pick-and-go plays. The defense thinks they have to be further, then it crosses the medium. Willis is very similar to him in that sense.
There is no doubt that Willis is the main specialist in NO 8 in the country at this time. He has earned his shot. Alex Dombrandt has had opportunities, without establishing himself as a holder. Zach Mercer returned from an acclaimed spell in Montpellier to rekindle his test career, but his face obviously does not fit, certainly not with Borthwick in charge.
England needs someone who can bring thunder in collisions, to boost them forward and produce that front foot thrust that has often lacked them. If Willis shows that he can match the Great Alldritt and make a passable impersonation of 'Thor', he will be here to stay.