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Rugby World Cup Barometer: London calling for adopted Frenchman Willis?

By:

Deputy Sports Editor - City PM

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In the lead up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, City PM has put together a barometer in partnership with City Index to assess whose form is hot – and whose is not – in the race to be part of the tournament in France later this year.
In the lead up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, City PM has put together a barometer in partnership with City Index to assess whose form is hot – and whose is not – in the race to be part of the tournament in France later this year. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

In the lead up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, City PM has put together a barometer in partnership with City Index to assess whose form is hot – and whose is not – in the race to be part of the tournament in France later this year.

Player of the week

Amid the fallout from Worcester Warriors and Wasps going under this season, a number of players from the two clubs got to experience high level rugby in France – one of those is Tom Willis.

The Bordeaux Begles No8 was a key part of his side’s Top14 quarter-final win away to Lyon, earning them a semi-final tie against La Rochelle this weekend.

Willis was a solid carrier, as he has been all season, and has confirmed his return to the Premiership with a summer transfer to Saracens, meaning he will be in contention for the England squad.

Going toe-to-toe with some of the best back-rows in the world should stand the 24-year-old in good stead for a World Cup spot.

Who’s hot

  • Madosh Tambwe is enjoying a purple patch this season, scoring nine tries. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tambwe is South African-qualified and could be a bolter.
  • Gaël Fickou is close to being the first name on the France team sheet. The centre was brilliant in Racing 92’s win over Stade Francais last week.

Who’s not

  • Marcos Kremer received his third red card of the season in Stade Francais’s loss at the weekend. His indiscipline could be a liability for Argentina at the World Cup.
  • French TV production will be key at this year’s tournament, and technical issues during big quarter-final matches last weekend will have caused some unease.

Previous Rugby World Cup Barometers