The Toulouse back rower cemented his status across the Channel by lifting the Bouclier de Brennus, for winning the French Top 14 title, in June after a 29-26 win over La Rochelle in Paris.
Willis was only there because of the collapse of his boyhood squad Wasps in 2022 which forced his move to the French heavyweights with no jobs available in the Premiership thanks to the reduced salary cap.
Steve Borthwick’s side, who face Argentina in Saturday’s opener, cannot meet hosts France until the semi-finals at least but if they do clash, they will have some inside info.
Willis has been playing with the likes Antoine Dupont, Thomas Ramos and Romain Ntamack improving his game and playing a leading role in that win at Stade de France.
Denne historien er fra September 03, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra September 03, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
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Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
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Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
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Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
