Saracens statement: The signing of ex-Wasps back-rower Tom Willis

Uncapped England prospect Tom Willis will return to the Gallagher Premiership next season after securing a deal with Saracens for the 2023/24 campaign. The ex-Wasps back-rower was among the 167 players and staff made redundant when the Coventry-based club financially collapsed and it resulted in him heading to France to keep his career ticking through the winter.

Willis has so far made six appearances for Bordeaux, four in the Top 14 and two more in Europe, but he will return to England at the end of the season to link up with Mark McCall’s Saracens in London.

A statement read: “Saracens are excited to announce the signing of Tom Willis for the 2023/24 season. The 23-year-old, who has been playing for Bordeaux after leaving Wasps is one of the finest back row prospects in the country and is an exciting addition to the Men in Black.

“Willis, who is the younger brother of England international Jack, made his Premiership debut back in 2017 and went on to make over 50 appearances for Wasps.

“The former England U20s captain will spend the remainder of the season in the Top 14 and then make the move back to the Gallagher Premiership in the summer on a long-term deal.”

Willis said: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining Saracens. It is a great club with a fantastic playing and coaching group and I’m looking forward to being a part of it next season.”

Saracens boss McCall added: “We are delighted to be welcoming Tom to Saracens. He is a player that we have admired for a long time and we are confident that he will be a huge success here over the coming years.”

Confirmation that Willis will move to Saracens came on the same day that Bordeaux unveiled the signing for next season of Suntory Sungoliath back-rower Tevita Tatafu, a starter for Japan in their recent November loss to England and a sub in the following weekend’s defeat to France.