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Ex-England skipper hails 'phenomenal' Willis turnover numbers

(Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

Former England captain Chris Robshaw has hailed RPA players player of the year Jack Willis as “phenomenal” in the wake of his form in a Premiership where the refereeing of the breakdown this season has made the game safer for jackalling players.

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Willis, who is preparing for Wasps’ Premiership final with Exeter on October 24 and wasn’t called into Eddie Jones’ latest three-day England squad, collected his RPA award on Wednesday night after his fellow player union member recognised his incredible season where he has won a remarkable 44 turnovers – 25 more than nearest rival Blair Cowan of London Irish.

Robshaw, who will equal his heaviest season in England when he plays his 32nd game in Barbarians colours against England on October 25 at Twickenham, is a fan of the changes that have taken place around the ruck.

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    The jackal has been rewarded while also protected from the kind of hits that resulted in serious knee and shoulder injuries. By limiting the amount of time it takes at the ruck, players who are static and trying to win the ball are not being repeatedly pounded by opponents who have taken a run-up to ensure they hit their target with maximum force.

    Robshaw told RugbyPass: “You’re not getting that situation where you have survived one clear-out and you’re waiting for the second and the third. There is more of a safety element, so you’re not getting those big collisions time and time again. 

    “Of course they are still will be collisions and things have changed from the first two weeks of the season when it was very quick and you were on the ball for a split second before the referee made a decision. Now, they give you a second or two to show that you do have proper contact with the ball and then you are rewarded.

    “It is balanced out and the change is good and rewards players who are over the ball. Jack Willis has got more turnovers than anyone else and that is phenomenal. 

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    “It has speeded things up and you shouldn’t get frustrated with the situation when you are playing out there and have the attitude that you may lose a couple but you will also win a couple. There are more turnovers happening now,” added Robshaw, the 66-cap ex-England skipper who is joining San Diego Legion in the USA from Harlequins. 

     

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    RedWarrior 20 minutes ago
    Many England fans echoing the same gripe following Six Nations loss

    The English defense was excellent in the first half. This is considering Ireland's attack has improved significantly since the Autumn with former Leinster attack coach Goodman. Ireland were beaten by NZ in the Autumn, are behind SA and arguably behind France so de facto 4th in order (rankings take time to catch up) As Eddie Jones said Ireland are still in that elite group so England's domination in the first half is noteworthy.

    I believe they have spent the time since the Autumn largely on defence. On broken play they were relying on Smiths instint along with some jiggery pokery. For Smiths early line break a Twindaloo blocked Baird which left the gap for smith. It looked like he did Aki, but Baird was a little late arriving and clever play by Tom Curry allowed the gap for Smith. Earls line break was Smith spotting Baird coming out and beating him with a beautiful pass to Earl.

    We saw the rehearsed plays for a couple of Ireland's tries. The Aki try was just identifying that England tended to hide Smith on the wing creating a vulnerability which Ireland exploited with one of Akis great finishes.

    Although Ireland were relaxing at the end the two English tries were good enough quality and we may see more of it next week (Scotland will also have taken note).

    Although on the easier side of the draw Borthwick almost took England to a RWC final.

    But in common with the top4 you need to have firepower to get those tries in big games. Can Borthwick manage that? I don't think so.

    Next week even if England have a great first half again, you would be looking at France converting 3 of those Irish chances and pushing on after the break.

    Can Borthwick develop a plan to beat France in the next few years. If the answer is no England need to find someone who can.

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