Always a Wasp
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11
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Directors of rugby agree on overseas player rule and more
« Last post by WonkyWasp on Today at 07:37:22 AM »I could, of course, be wrong on this but my immediate reaction to the above is a vision of English rugby sliding slowly down the waste pipe.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Directors of rugby agree on overseas player rule and more
« Last post by Neils on May 27, 2024, 11:10:55 PM »https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c8991jw3dd3o
THe usual commentary from the "top" coaches.
THe usual commentary from the "top" coaches.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England?s loss is Toulouse?s gain with Jack Willis playing the rugby of his life
« Last post by Neils on May 27, 2024, 01:42:29 PM »Jack Willis addresses England return post-Toulouse win
By PA
19 hours ago
Jack Willis has developed an emotional attachment to Toulouse that indicates a prompt return to England is unlikely.
Willis added a Investec Champions Cup winners? medal to the Top 14 honours he claimed last season after Leinster were defeated 31-22 in extra time at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.
The 27-year-old flanker was magnificent in defence, emerging as the most prolific tackler by a distance with 30 in a match that was widely considered Test-match standard.
But he remains off limits to England head coach Steve Borthwick, who is only permitted to select players competing for Gallagher Premiership clubs in a rule that for the time being leaves Willis stranded on 14 caps.
It was assumed that joining Toulouse was a short-term solution to Wasps? financial collapse in 2022, but as the silverware rolls in his bond with Europe?s most successful team grows stronger.
?For me there?s lots of things to consider when you talk about a move,? Willis said.
?After leaving Wasps, there were a lot of emotions. Trying to deal with joining another club in England is a hard thing. No one probably realises how difficult that is.
?I probably escaped a little bit being out at such a great club where we have had a chance to win a Top 14 and a Champions Cup.
?The emotions I feel right now is that I am incredibly grateful. I have been welcomed into a group that have shown nothing but respect to me and have welcomed me with open arms. That?s all I am thinking about.
?I have just won the Champions Cup. If you had told me two years ago that I would be winning a Champions Cup, I would have thought that you were mental.
?There were a lot of lows with Wasps and I was not playing as much as I would have wanted in certain games, so to be welcomed in Toulouse ? I can?t tell you how grateful I am.
?My family have been welcomed and there are so many good blokes here. I?m just so grateful to be a part of this group and to be able to try to add to it.?
Even Willis? outstanding shift in defence was overshadowed by the all-round brilliance of Toulouse star Antoine Dupont, who was named player of the match and then European player of the year.
?Antoine made 4 turnovers! He can do everything! Hell of a player. He added a hell of a lot,? Willis said.
?As far as I have seen, he?s probably the best rugby player of all time. He has helped me win two trophies.?
By PA
19 hours ago
Jack Willis has developed an emotional attachment to Toulouse that indicates a prompt return to England is unlikely.
Willis added a Investec Champions Cup winners? medal to the Top 14 honours he claimed last season after Leinster were defeated 31-22 in extra time at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.
The 27-year-old flanker was magnificent in defence, emerging as the most prolific tackler by a distance with 30 in a match that was widely considered Test-match standard.
But he remains off limits to England head coach Steve Borthwick, who is only permitted to select players competing for Gallagher Premiership clubs in a rule that for the time being leaves Willis stranded on 14 caps.
It was assumed that joining Toulouse was a short-term solution to Wasps? financial collapse in 2022, but as the silverware rolls in his bond with Europe?s most successful team grows stronger.
?For me there?s lots of things to consider when you talk about a move,? Willis said.
?After leaving Wasps, there were a lot of emotions. Trying to deal with joining another club in England is a hard thing. No one probably realises how difficult that is.
?I probably escaped a little bit being out at such a great club where we have had a chance to win a Top 14 and a Champions Cup.
?The emotions I feel right now is that I am incredibly grateful. I have been welcomed into a group that have shown nothing but respect to me and have welcomed me with open arms. That?s all I am thinking about.
?I have just won the Champions Cup. If you had told me two years ago that I would be winning a Champions Cup, I would have thought that you were mental.
?There were a lot of lows with Wasps and I was not playing as much as I would have wanted in certain games, so to be welcomed in Toulouse ? I can?t tell you how grateful I am.
?My family have been welcomed and there are so many good blokes here. I?m just so grateful to be a part of this group and to be able to try to add to it.?
Even Willis? outstanding shift in defence was overshadowed by the all-round brilliance of Toulouse star Antoine Dupont, who was named player of the match and then European player of the year.
?Antoine made 4 turnovers! He can do everything! Hell of a player. He added a hell of a lot,? Willis said.
?As far as I have seen, he?s probably the best rugby player of all time. He has helped me win two trophies.?
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England?s loss is Toulouse?s gain with Jack Willis playing the rugby of his life
« Last post by Neils on May 27, 2024, 01:03:25 PM »I thought Jack made over 40 tackles, not 29 as stated in the article.
More than double anyone else.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England?s loss is Toulouse?s gain with Jack Willis playing the rugby of his life
« Last post by Rossm on May 27, 2024, 01:01:09 PM »I thought Jack made over 40 tackles, not 29 as stated in the article.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England?s loss is Toulouse?s gain with Jack Willis playing the rugby of his life
« Last post by WonkyWasp on May 27, 2024, 12:19:14 PM »Good to see that Charlie Atkinson has had the call-up for the England training squad.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England?s loss is Toulouse?s gain with Jack Willis playing the rugby of his life
« Last post by westwaleswasp on May 27, 2024, 09:33:19 AM »He said himself yesterday how hard it would be to join a club in England, reported in the Independent.
Ultimately it isn't money that is keeping him there, it is emotional attachment to his new club (and trophies).
He won't be short of offers to come back, he just doesn't appear to want to. Good for him.
Fwiw I won't support or watch any pro English club regardless of how many Ex Wasps they have, and with the new Championship plans grinding to a halt (as mentioned in the Sunday Times), I cannot see that changing. Then again I have that option- I live in Wales and get the URC on Premier, I coach girls soccer and have always watched it alongside rugby, though in smaller quantities, I watch red ball county cricket (for free on Youtube).
Ultimately it isn't money that is keeping him there, it is emotional attachment to his new club (and trophies).
He won't be short of offers to come back, he just doesn't appear to want to. Good for him.
Fwiw I won't support or watch any pro English club regardless of how many Ex Wasps they have, and with the new Championship plans grinding to a halt (as mentioned in the Sunday Times), I cannot see that changing. Then again I have that option- I live in Wales and get the URC on Premier, I coach girls soccer and have always watched it alongside rugby, though in smaller quantities, I watch red ball county cricket (for free on Youtube).
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England?s loss is Toulouse?s gain with Jack Willis playing the rugby of his life
« Last post by WonkyWasp on May 27, 2024, 08:01:14 AM »I too needed a hankie after listening to Jack, and I need another hankie right now. I agree with everything above (obviously) and while I cannot support Saracens ever I still shout for Tom Willis - who was and still is my favourite player. At least he is getting a pay cheque. Hopefully (just my own personal opinion) he will gets offers from other clubs in due time.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England?s loss is Toulouse?s gain with Jack Willis playing the rugby of his life
« Last post by MartinB - Radnage Wasp on May 26, 2024, 11:11:03 PM »I got quite emotional watching Jack yesterday and thinking what we have missed with seeing his development as part of what would have been a tremendous Wasps team......just look at how so many are playing so well now. Good on him and I will always support any team with one of boys in it.......though I do draw a line at Sarries I am afraid!!
Now to support Bath and Alfie next weekend!!
Now to support Bath and Alfie next weekend!!
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England?s loss is Toulouse?s gain with Jack Willis playing the rugby of his life
« Last post by Neils on May 26, 2024, 10:54:34 PM »Sam Warburton hails ?phenomenal? Jack Willis after Toulouse?s Champions Cup final victory
David Skippers 11 hours ago
Nearly two years after his much-loved club Wasps ceased to exist, Jack Willis has been crowned an Investec Champions Cup winner after helping Toulouse to victory over Leinster on Saturday and earned high praise from former Wales and Lions captain Sam Warburton.
The French heavyweights won the the tournament for a sixth time courtesy of a 31-22 extra-time victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Willis catching the eye with a superb all action display.
An ecstatic Willis, who joined Toulouse in November 2022 after Wasps entered administration the previous month, said he ?can?t put it into words how amazing this feels? after winning the Champions Cup for the first time with Les Rouge et Noir.
The 27-year-old flanker was on the pitch for the entire match and was one of the best players on display.
Brilliant on defence
In tandem with his captain, Antoine Dupont, the England international dominated the breakdowns as Toulouse won a remarkable 19 turnovers and Willis also delivered an outstanding defensive display as he made a match-high 29 tackles ? more than double the amount of hits made by Leinster?s leading tackler Caelan Doris, who made 14 hits.
?The way it went back and forth in Leinster?s favour, our favour, you never knew what was going to happen,? Willis said on TNT Sports.
?With a couple of minutes to go, we obviously go into extra time, having nothing in the tank, to be honest with you. But I think we believed we could do it. We have an unbelievable respect for Leinster, what a team they are.
?God we?ve had to work hard this week and in previous weeks building up to hoping this game would happen. I just can?t put it into words how amazing this feels.?
It was an epic encounter with both sides giving their all for the entire 100 minutes but Toulouse?s brilliance on attack and breakdown dominance helped them over the line in the end.
?It was tough to get over the gain-line, put it that way,? Willis said.
Toulouse win extra-time thriller against Leinster to claim SIXTH Champions Cup title
?Every time you carry you feel like you got melted, and we were trying our best to do the same.
?Leinster are an incredible team. We knew if we played our rugby we could go and get the result.
?I think what swung it was managing to get over in the corner, that try [from Matthis Lebel]. It was so close, penalty penalty penalty, and then getting that, it made a real big difference.?
TNT Sports pundit Warburton had special words of praise for Willis after Saturday?s final.
?I don?t know Jack, but I feel like I want to find him just to tell him how much I think of him as a player,? said the former Wales skipper and back-row.
?I think he?s phenomenal. He?s fitted in so well to Toulouse. Brilliant ball in hand, exceptional at the breakdown which is where he made his name defensively in England.
?Any other day, without Antoine Dupont, he would have been my Man of the Match.?
In fine form for Toulouse
After the disappointment of what happened at Wasps, Willis has slotted in seamlessly at Toulouse and produced several outstanding performances since joining the Top 14 champions.
?It was so tough what we went through at Wasps,? he said. ?I miss so much about Wasps every day. I miss playing with my best mates, I miss playing with my brother.
?But this group is amazing and they?ve welcomed me in so well. I feel part of it here, from top to bottom, everyone in the club, not just the boys.
?To play in games like this, this is what it?s about. I love it. I?ve loved it and I?m loving it.?
David Skippers 11 hours ago
Nearly two years after his much-loved club Wasps ceased to exist, Jack Willis has been crowned an Investec Champions Cup winner after helping Toulouse to victory over Leinster on Saturday and earned high praise from former Wales and Lions captain Sam Warburton.
The French heavyweights won the the tournament for a sixth time courtesy of a 31-22 extra-time victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Willis catching the eye with a superb all action display.
An ecstatic Willis, who joined Toulouse in November 2022 after Wasps entered administration the previous month, said he ?can?t put it into words how amazing this feels? after winning the Champions Cup for the first time with Les Rouge et Noir.
The 27-year-old flanker was on the pitch for the entire match and was one of the best players on display.
Brilliant on defence
In tandem with his captain, Antoine Dupont, the England international dominated the breakdowns as Toulouse won a remarkable 19 turnovers and Willis also delivered an outstanding defensive display as he made a match-high 29 tackles ? more than double the amount of hits made by Leinster?s leading tackler Caelan Doris, who made 14 hits.
?The way it went back and forth in Leinster?s favour, our favour, you never knew what was going to happen,? Willis said on TNT Sports.
?With a couple of minutes to go, we obviously go into extra time, having nothing in the tank, to be honest with you. But I think we believed we could do it. We have an unbelievable respect for Leinster, what a team they are.
?God we?ve had to work hard this week and in previous weeks building up to hoping this game would happen. I just can?t put it into words how amazing this feels.?
It was an epic encounter with both sides giving their all for the entire 100 minutes but Toulouse?s brilliance on attack and breakdown dominance helped them over the line in the end.
?It was tough to get over the gain-line, put it that way,? Willis said.
Toulouse win extra-time thriller against Leinster to claim SIXTH Champions Cup title
?Every time you carry you feel like you got melted, and we were trying our best to do the same.
?Leinster are an incredible team. We knew if we played our rugby we could go and get the result.
?I think what swung it was managing to get over in the corner, that try [from Matthis Lebel]. It was so close, penalty penalty penalty, and then getting that, it made a real big difference.?
TNT Sports pundit Warburton had special words of praise for Willis after Saturday?s final.
?I don?t know Jack, but I feel like I want to find him just to tell him how much I think of him as a player,? said the former Wales skipper and back-row.
?I think he?s phenomenal. He?s fitted in so well to Toulouse. Brilliant ball in hand, exceptional at the breakdown which is where he made his name defensively in England.
?Any other day, without Antoine Dupont, he would have been my Man of the Match.?
In fine form for Toulouse
After the disappointment of what happened at Wasps, Willis has slotted in seamlessly at Toulouse and produced several outstanding performances since joining the Top 14 champions.
?It was so tough what we went through at Wasps,? he said. ?I miss so much about Wasps every day. I miss playing with my best mates, I miss playing with my brother.
?But this group is amazing and they?ve welcomed me in so well. I feel part of it here, from top to bottom, everyone in the club, not just the boys.
?To play in games like this, this is what it?s about. I love it. I?ve loved it and I?m loving it.?