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'The highs and lows of rugby' - Willis vows to come back stronger from horror injury
By Ciarán Kennedy
England flanker Jack Willis has thanked fans for the messages of support he has received following his horror injury against Italy on Saturday.
Willis was only on the pitch six minutes when he injured his leg when being cleared out of a ruck by Italy's Sebastien Negri, and had to be removed from the pitch on a medical cart. The player had previously suffered a long-term injury in May 2018, and was winning just his third England cap against the Azzurri.
Yesterday, Negri posted a message on social media offering his support to Willis, writing "So sorry about what happened yesterday. Just horrible and never nice to see."
And now Willis has posted his own message, vowing to come back from this latest setback as a better and stronger player.
'The highs and lows of Rugby... I have loved every second of training and playing in an England shirt and it has been a dream come true to be involved in such a great group of lads and coaches," Willis wrote.
"I’m truly gutted with the way it ended on Saturday but these things happen...
"I will give everything I can to my rehab to come back a better and stronger player.
"Thank you so much for all the messages and support I’ve received it really is appreciated.
"I will be back"
While the 24-year-old is expected to face a lengthy injury lay-off, the early suggestions are that Willis' injury may not be as bad as initially feared, having not damaged his ACL.
In an interview with the The Coventry Telegraph, Wasps Director of Rugby Lee Blackett said "It’s really early and I don’t want to go concrete with this but it sounds like he has done quite a few things with his knee. It’s pretty serious.
"But at this moment in time it looks like he has not done his ACL. He will spend a long time out, I should imagine."
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Latest Comments
Which people exactly?
Go to commentsWas anything but fine margins, the scoreline was flattering for that game. They were beat in every margin but most emphatically be effort of Argentina. They were slow and likely arrogant in their prep following the England series. You can see the effect on the selection and poor messaging all the playmakers started receiving from the coaching setup there after.
Otherwise though there was also a lot of really good stuff that can too easily be labelled as lucky by people intent on making a point. The team was far from certain and clinical though and the best that can be said of their losses was that they were largely due to some atrocious decisions with cards twice against SA and the neckroll last weekend (you can't take away the 14 point try, that is typical French rugby and to be expected).
This team is good enough to be able to cope with those sorts of difficulties if they could just execute a bit better (but only as well as they have traditionally mind you). Sound selections aside. Some good positivity in this article but we know it's not going to be easy as the ABs have just been trying to return to their DNA after Fosters control but countries like Aussie have a much bigger task in that respect and SA is even trying to change their DNA (again). Those two opponents (along with France obviously) are going to provide some tough competition in seeing who can lead into the 2027 RWC with the best prospects and form behind them.
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