England have been dealt their first major injury blow at the World Cup with Jack Willis ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a neck problem. The head coach, Steve Borthwick, is due to confirm a replacement once medical checks are completed but Willis’s departure from the squad is a setback given his prowess at the breakdown.
Willis sustained the injury during England’s 71-0 win over Chile last time out and Borthwick said it was confirmed he would be withdrawing from the squad on Wednesday night. It is a bitter blow for Willis, who has endured a turbulent year since the demise of Wasps.
He has prospered since moving to Toulouse but will be unavailable for selection next year due to the Rugby Football Union’s policy of not picking players based abroad. He had been given special dispensation but that runs out when he returns to Toulouse. Willis did at least appear against Chile, having missed out on the 23 against Argentina and Japan, and scored England’s last try in Lille.
Borthwick is well stocked for options in the back-row positions but Sam Underhill would be the most experienced option for a replacement given how well he performed at the 2019 World Cup. Tom Pearson, Alex Dombrandt and Tom Willis – Jack’s brother – are all other possibilities, having been in camp over the summer. If Borthwick decides he does not need more back-row cover, the lock Jonny Hill is an option or he could even turn to Henry Slade, who is believed to have been in the reckoning when the coaching staff had concerns over Kyle Sinckler’s fitness.
“Jack suffered an injury in the Test match versus Chile that he’s worked to recover from and to rehab from,” said Borthwick. “Unfortunately, he’s been unable at this stage to be fit and what that means is that Jack has left the squad. We anticipate the injury will be just a few weeks but given the timescales we’re operating in it means he will be replaced in the 23.
“He’s naturally very, very disappointed. His return to being back on the field has already started. I think that’s [a sign of] the determined man like that, that he wants to be the very best. He’s getting stuck into the work that needs to be done. I’m really disappointed for him, for this World Cup, this game and this weekend and this tournament.”
Meanwhile, Samoa have named an all-new tight five to face England with the head coach, Seilala Mapusua, making nine changes in total. Mapusua has opted for a new front row, with the props Jordan Lay and Michael Alaalatoa either side of the hooker Sama Malolo, who earns a second Test start. The lock pairing of Sam Slade and Brian Alainu’u’ese also come into the team.
