Back row forward suffered neck injury against ChileCoach Steve Borthwick can call up replacement
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 revealed 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 following the demise of Wasps. He has prospered since moving to Toulouse but is set to 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.
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