Former Wasps flanker Jack Willis is on the verge of joining his next club after his emotional exit from Wasps earlier this month.
Speaking about his sudden redundancy with the Telegraph, Willis said: “It was pretty shocking for everyone in the room,”
“I think we were just expecting to be told that administration was official, not that we were all made redundant. But obviously those decisions had to be made and the administrators were in charge at that point.
“Immediately, it was probably one of the strangest atmospheres I have ever been in in that room. Pretty sad, was probably the main thing.
“We were stunned at the beginning and it hit when they said it was the end of the update. We asked a couple of questions and once everyone stood up and went to head out, it sunk in a little bit. But it still hasn’t really sunk in fully, to be honest with you.”
Bristol Bears had been very keen to add the back-rower, but Pat Lam revealed this week that the club has no room within the salary cap to complete the signing.
The Rugby Paper have now reported today that Willis will likely join Northampton Saints, which means he will likely not have to relocate his young family.
RUCK sources indicate although a move to Saints is likely, Willis would only sign until the end of the season with the view to rejoining Wasps in the Championship next season.
Wasps’ administrators revealed on Saturday they have accepted an offer to buy the financially stricken Premiership club.
The offer, from a consortium including members of Wasps Legends, is for only the men’s rugby team and youth academy.
Joint administrator Andrew Sheridan said: “This deal is a significant step forward, one that we all hope will allow Wasps Rugby to live on.”
JACK WILLIS FACTS:
- Willis played junior rugby for Reading Abbey R.F.C. before joining the Wasps Senior Academy in 2015
- He was a member of the England under-20 team that hosted the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship and came off the bench as England defeated Ireland in the final
- Willis made his debut on 14 November 2020 against Georgia at Twickenham in the Autumn Nations Cup, and opened the scoring with a debut try in the 15th minute as England won 40-0.
Mike Tindall’s England XV:
BACK-THREE:
- 15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
- 14. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
- 11. Henry Arundell (London Irish)
CENTRES:
- 13. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks)
- 12. Owen Farrell (Saracens)
