Farrell to be handed England keys to No.10 as Willis makes emotional return

10 February 2023 , 06:51

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Marcus Smith has been England's first choice fly-half since July 2021 (Image: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Jack Willis makes an emotional return to England’s starting line-up on Sunday - with Owen Farrell set to be named at fly-half.

Head coach Steve Borthwick has rung the changes for the visit of Italy - the very fixture in which Willis suffered a career-threatening knee injury two years ago.

Farrell is expected to revert to fly-half for the first time since Marcus Smith burst onto the international scene in July 2021, with specialist centres Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence combining in midfield.

Borthwick had been urged by a number of Red Rose luminaries to play either Farrell or Smith, but not both.

He would appear to have heeded those calls from Sir Clive Woodward, Lawrence Dallaglio and Stuart Barnes, with Smith set to be deployed off the bench at Twickenham.

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Willis’ recall at openside is rich reward for the back row star’s refusal to cave in to adversity.

Jack Willis has bounced back from serious injury and the loss of his beloved club Wasps (Getty Images)

In 2021, when Covid forced the Six Nations behind closed doors, Willis came off the bench to score a try on his tournament debut against the Azzurri.

Seven minutes later he was victim of a ‘crocodile roll’ which tore and ruptured ligaments in his left knee. His anguished cry echoed around the empty stadium.

He had only just returned from a year out with injury to his other knee. This one would sideline him for 53 weeks.

Willis moments before his injury playing for England against Italy at Twickenham two years ago (Matt Impey/REX/Shutterstock)

Willis, 26, battled back only for his club Wasps to then fold and him to be left jobless. Eddie Jones kept him involved but he had to move to France where he now plays for Toulouse.

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The Atlas consortium's plan is for the team to partner with the fourth division side Stourbridge, but club relocation and change of name require RFU approval.

Alex Spink