Jack Willis says England has been his salvation after Wasps went bust leaving him without a job and a club to play for.
The 2020 Premiership player of the season is still unable to get his head around the sudden loss of one of rugby’s most famous teams - and the likelihood he will not get to play again with brother Tom.
“It still hasn’t really sunk in, to be honest,” he said. “I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t been a tough couple of weeks.”
Ten days ago Willis was named in Eddie Jones’ autumn squad just two hours before the plug was pulled on Wasps in a meeting that nobody who was present will forget.
“We were just expecting to be told that administration was official, not that we were all made redundant,” said the 25-year old. “We were stunned. I was upset immediately, then I’d compose myself, go up to someone else and get upset again.
“I was reluctant to go home because I didn't want to cry for the 20th time that afternoon.”
Not knowing what the rugby future holds for him and his younger brother, Willis says, has been the hardest part.
“We have had an incredible journey together from under-18s all the way through to a Premiership Final,” he said.
“Scrolling back through photos on my phone in bed the next morning was incredibly difficult. I woke up [partner] Megan blubbering.
“Because I really do love playing with and alongside Tom. If we don’t have the opportunity to do that again it will be tough.”
Without a game since Wasps played for the last time on October 9, Willis is “incredibly grateful” to have an England camp to distract his focus ahead of next week’s Twickenham clash with Argentina.
“Without this I'd just be running around a field on my own at the moment until I find a club,” he said.
Willis has been linked with some of the biggest clubs in England and France but as he stood on an island in the Channel between the two, gazing out across St Brelade’s Bay, his thoughts were with Wasps pals less fortunate.
“There are some lads that may not find clubs and some that may retire,” he said mournfully. “With salary cap restrictions and the current economic climate the situation is pretty bleak out there.”
That situation is made worse by the demise of a second Premiership club, Worcester - though ex-team boss Steve Diamond last night announced he is fronting a consortium aiming to take over at Sixways.
"My goal,” he declared, “is a sustainable business able to compete back in the Premiership within three or four years.”
