Tom Willis dominates Top 14 with 18 carries and four turnovers as brother Jack stays sidelined

Tom Willis delivered one of the performances of the Top 14 season so far as Bordeaux-Bèglès edged Clermont 23-22 at the Stade Marcel Michelin on Saturday, keeping the Willis name at the forefront of French rugby while brother Jack remains on the treatment table.

The 27-year-old No.8 made a match-leading 18 carries and produced four turnovers, including a crucial breakdown steal in his own 22 in the closing moments that secured the victory. He also came agonisingly close to a try off the back of a driving maul, only for team-mate Maxime Lucu to be credited with the grounding. Had the score been awarded to Willis, it would have taken him level with Pau’s Rodrigo Marta on six tries — joint top of the Top 14 scoring charts after six rounds.

The performance earned the eight-cap England international a place in both Midi Olympique’s and L’Equipe’s team of the week selections, recognition that underlines how seamlessly the former Saracens back-rower has settled into his second spell at Bordeaux.

His form has ensured there has been no drop-off in the Willis family’s grip on the league despite the absence of Jack, the reigning Top 14 Player of the Year. Jack has been sidelined since round two with a thigh injury sustained, coincidentally, against Bordeaux-Bèglès — though the brothers barely shared the pitch that day, with Jack departing just over ten minutes after Tom had come on as a substitute.

Tom’s role will only grow in importance as Bordeaux launch their bid for a third successive Investec Champions Cup title. Their European campaign opens against Gloucester at Kingsholm on Friday, where the ineligible England international will be on show for a watching domestic audience.