Sponsored Ad Feature is produced by an advertiser with the specific intent to promote a product and is not produced by the Morning Wire team.
 |  Updated: 

Rugby World Cup Barometer: Hit the road, Jack, right to Borthwick

By:

Add as a preferred source on Google
In the lead up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Morning Wire has put together a barometer in partnership with City Index to assess whose form is hot – and whose is not – in the race to be part of the tournament in France later this year.
In the lead up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Morning Wire has put together a barometer in partnership with City Index to assess whose form is hot – and whose is not – in the race to be part of the tournament in France later this year. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

In the lead up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Morning Wire has put together a barometer in partnership with City Index to assess whose form is hot – and whose is not – in the race to be part of the tournament in France later this year.

Player of the week

A couple of weeks ago it was Saracens-bound Tom Willis in the spotlight and this week it is his brother.

Before Christmas Jack Willis was playing for Wasps but has found himself running out for Toulouse after his former club went under.

He has been simply astonishing.

And on Saturday he was the outstanding player of the match as Toulouse won the Top14.

He was a menace at the breakdown and made himself almost undroppable to England head coach Steve Borthwick.

His choice to stay in France will hamper him after the Rugby World Cup, but for now, he must be in the England side.

Who’s hot

  • Charlie Faumuina was one of five players to switch their allegiance to Tonga. The Pacific island is stronger than ever and will face England at the World Cup.
  • Paolo Odogwu has declared for Italy and signed for Treviso after being rejected by England in years gone by.

Who’s not

  • Ollie Hassell-Collins was left out of England’s second squad, which could be a sign of ruthlessness to come from coach Steve Borthwick.
  • Anthony Bouthier hasn’t had a great season due to injury but he has been left out of the initial French squad. Work to do.

Previous Rugby World Cup Barometers