JACK WILLIS has been named in the England squad ahead of their tour to Australia this summer.
The Wasps flanker is part of a 36-man touring party for the three-Test series and is the only club representative named in the squad.
Willis started on the bench in England’s warm-up match against the Barbarians at Twickenham last weekend and entered the fray in the second half.
And despite England suffering a chastening 52-21 defeat to the 14-man Barbarians, Willis impressed enough during his 36 minutes on the field to earn a place in the squad.
England Head Coach Eddie Jones said: “Though we have nine players unavailable due to injury, we have picked a very strong squad capable of winning the series.
“This squad is a real mix of young, talented players and some very experienced, senior players and we’re looking forward to bring the group together.
“This tour will be a great experience for the group and a crucial part of the team’s work towards the Rugby World Cup in 2023. We will continue to develop the base of the squad and how we want to play.
“We’ve put a lot of work into preparation for the tour over the past few weeks but now the hard work really begins when we finally get the squad on the plane and to Australia.”
A total of eight uncapped players have been named in the squad whilst Willis hopes to add to his three international caps the last of which came back in February 2021.
The series opener takes place in Perth on Saturday, July 2 with further matches in Brisbane on Saturday, July 9 and Sydney on Saturday, July 16 with all three games to kick-off at 10.55am UK time.
England’s 36-player squad for Australia tour
Forwards
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 34 caps), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 40 caps), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 30 caps), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 36 caps), Jamie George (Saracens, 66 caps), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps), Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 7 caps), Maro Itoje (Saracens, 56 caps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 93 caps), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 11 caps), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 2 caps), Patrick Schickerling (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 20 caps), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 28 caps), Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 61 caps), Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 67 caps), Jack Walker (Harlequins, uncapped), Jack Willis (Wasps, 3 caps)
Backs
Henry Arundell (London Irish, uncapped, apprentice player), Danny Care (Harlequins, 84 caps), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 11 caps), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, uncapped), Owen Farrell (Saracens, 94 caps), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, uncapped), George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 6 caps), Will Joseph (London Irish, uncapped, apprentice player), Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 12 caps), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 69 caps), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 39 caps), Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers, uncapped), Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 6 caps), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, uncapped), Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 10 caps), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 10 caps)
