Jack Willis injury latest: England team-mate Genge looks on in horror as Eddie Jones admits injury 'probably not good'

ENGLAND picked up a bonus point against Italy in a match overshadowed by a horrific knee injury to debutant Jack Willis.

The Wasps flanker's knee appeared to give way as he was rolled in a ruck in a moment so graphic that TV broadcasters refused to replay it.

And pictures from the match showed team-mate Ellis Genge looking on in absolute shock as Willis received treatment.

Six Nations 2021 betting tips – all the best odds and free bets

  • sstreet

    LINE IN THE ZAND

    Scotland were victors over England last week but things are going all wrong for them at Murrayfield.

    From 17-3 up the Scots have conceded three tries and had Zander Fagerson sent off for clearing a ruck with his shoulder.

    That makes it the second week in a row Wales have played 14 men after Ireland's Peter O'Mahony was dismissed for a similar offence last Sunday.

  • sstreet

    GREAT SCOT

    England got the job done at Twickenham today but there's more Six Nations on right now.

    Scotland and Wales are playing out a fascinating game north of the border.

    Follow all the action from Murrayfield here.

  • sstreet

    BEST WISHES

    Wasps were quick to wish their flanker Jack Willis well following his injury against Italy.

    The club also tweeted an image of his earlier debut try,

    They wrote: "A Try on @EnglandRugby @SixNationsRugby debut for @jackswillis7, setup by a @d_jrobson quick tap!

    "Thoughts of everyone at Wasps with you for a swift recovery…"

  • sstreet

    'WELL DONE'

    In the midst of Jack Willis' horror injury there was praise for ITV for not showing a replay.

    Though they did provide a wide angle video of what happened they chose not to reveal the full extent of the incident with close-up footage.

  • sstreet

    'IT JUST HAS TO BE OUTLAWED'

    Former England star and ITV pundit Ugo Monye has added his voice to calls for rolling players out of the ruck to be banned following Willis' injury.

    He said: "We often talk about health and safety in rugby and how we try to bring in laws to protect people in vulnerable positions," he said.

    "Jack Willis has this incredible ability of being so flexible and getting so low in the ruck but when you are being hit from multiple directions when your studs are planted into the grass, it has got to be banned.

    "For me, it just has to be outlawed because we know the size of the players. We are able to hear every collison.

    "When you have players trying to hit you north to south and others trying to roll you east to west, you end up with horrific injuries like that."

  • sstreet

    MAY DAY

    England were 41-18 winners over Italy in a game that almost paled into significant following the injury to Willis.

    But the moment of the match for the Red Rose came with a stunning try from Jonny May on the stroke of half time.

    The winger came up with a leap that Cristiano Ronaldo would be proud of to fly over an attempted tackle from Luca Sperandio and touch the ball down in the corner.

    And in the background, captain Owen Farrell could be heard shouting, 'that's f***ing brilliant!'

  • sstreet

    'LONG LAY-OFF'

    England World Cup winner Matt Dawson said Jack Willis can sadly expect to be out for a long time following his injury today.

    He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "On the clear-out Jack Willis has got his leg jammed.

    "No-one likes to see that, especially someone like Dan Lydiate who has been fighting back after a long injury.

    "Straight away you thought he was in trouble. His left knee – it buckled underneath him.

    "That, unfortunately, is going to be a long lay-off for Jack Willis."

    Dan Lydiate of Wales was ruled out for the rest of the tournament after his knee buckled against Ireland last week.

  • sstreet

    'PROBABLY NOT GOOD'

    Eddie Jones didn't beat around the bush when he described the extent of Jack Willis' injury.

    The England head coach said: "We are all concerned, he is on crutches and will be examined on Sunday.

    "It didn't look good, and it is probably not good, but we will wait and see.

    "It's some sort of knee injury, but he's back in the dressing room with us."

  • sstreet

    ROAD TO ELL

    This is the moment Ellis Genge looked on in pure shock as Jack Willis suffered a horrific injury against Italy.

    Prop Genge was one of the first to cotton on to the nasty injury, as he put his hands on his head in a mixture of disbelief and devastation.

    Maro Itoje, too, pleaded with players to give Willis space as he tried to point out the sickening knock.

    Willis was eventually taken off on a stretcher, with his Six Nations tournament surely over.

  • sstreet

    'LONG ROAD BACK'

    Jack Willis' injury has been compared with that of Wales' Ellis Jenkins against South Africa.

    After coming off in that game in autumn 2018, Jenkins spent more than two years on the treatment table, only just returning for Cardiff Blues now.

    Sadly it looks like it may be a long road back for the England star.

  • sstreet

    WALE OF A TIME

    England got the job done against Italy today and there's one more Six Nations game to come.

    Follow us here for all the action from Wales vs Scotland

  • sstreet

    RUCK-ING HELL

    Former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton has led calls for a rule change following Jack Willis' horrific injury.

    Hamilton wants officials to make it illegal for players to roll opponents out of rucks as Sebastian Negri did.

    He tweeted: "Feel sick for Jack Willis.

    "The laws should change NOW. Don’t allow players to roll out players in Rucks. So f#^king dangerous."

  • Giacomo Pisa

    FULL TIME SCENES

    Nothing but respect between the two sides at full time after eighty minutes of hard fought rugby.

    Credit: Getty Images – Getty
  • Giacomo Pisa

    WILLIS INJURY

    Spare a thought for Jack Willis, who came on a substitute, scored a try, and then had to be stretchered off the field.

    His leg was caught in the ground as he was cleared out at the breakdown, and his knee twisted nastily.

    Let's hope it looks worse than it is, but he could be out for some time.

    Credit: AP:Associated Press
  • Giacomo Pisa

    RUTHLESS RUGBY

    England spent just four minutes inside Italy's twenty-two, but have six tries to show for it.

    It was a clinical performance from Eddie Jones' side.

     

  • Giacomo Pisa

    JUMPING JONNY

    This incredible finish from Jonny May in the first half is worth another look at.

  • Giacomo Pisa

    OWEN'S ANALYSIS

    This is what Owen Farrell has to say on whether he's happy with the result:

    "Happier, yes.

    "I was just saying then we're probably back to being us.

    "It's not as perfect performance [and] not the best performance we've ever had but in terms of the feeling and the energy [and] the intent, that felt back to us."

  • Giacomo Pisa

    MATCH ANALYSIS

    A post match debrief for the Italy squad on the Twickenham turf.

    There were moments of promise from a youthful side, but in the end they were comprehensively beaten.

    They still haven't won in the Six Nations for what is now twenty-nine consecutive games, and questions will still remain surrounding their involvement in the tournament.

    Credit: EPA
  • Giacomo Pisa

    FULL TIME STATS

    England's dominance is reflected in the possession and territory stats from this afternoon's game.

    Italy deserve credit for their performance, but in the end were no match for the experience of England.

  • Giacomo Pisa

    SINCKLER SPEAKS

    These are the full time thoughts of man of the match Kyle Sinckler:

    "I think it was a step in the right direction.

    "I think our intent was a lot better today especially up front.

    "We probably didn't get the rewards we wanted, but in terms of the intent and showing how much it means for us to play for our country, I think it was a step in the right direction and we're looking forward to the next game."

  • Giacomo Pisa

    FULL TIME SCENES

    A comfortable win in the end for England, who have their first win of the Six Nations.

    Italy meanwhile are condemned to a twenty-ninth consecutive Six Nations defeat.

    NINTCHDBPICT000636085854Credit: Reuters

     

  • Giacomo Pisa

    TRY TIME

    Here's a look at England's sixth and final try of the afternoon, scored just moments after Italy crossed over for their second.

    Elliot Daly crossed over in the corner for the home side after a neat set-up by Dan Robson.

  • Giacomo Pisa

    ENGLAND 41-18 ITALY

    Federico Mori is tackled into touch and that will be that!

    England register their first win of the 2021 Six Nations!

  • Giacomo Pisa

    PEEEEP!

    THAT'S FULL TIME!

    ENGLAND 41-18 ITALY!

  • Giacomo Pisa

    ENGLAND 41-18 ITALY

    81. Penalty to Italy.

    England engage too early again and Italy have one last chance for a consolation score.

Source: Read Full Article