England flanker Jack Willis was stretchered off against Italy on Saturday having suffered a horrendous knee injury during round two of the Six Nations at Twickenham.
The Wasps flanker came off the bench in the second half and having scored a try almost straightaway, Willis was unfortunately carried off the pitch shortly after having picked up a nasty injury at a breakdown.
The 24-year-old was left screaming in pain as his knee was twisted by a ‘crocodile roll’ challenge from Italian forward Sebastian Negri and fans and pundits have taken to social media to wish Willis a speedy recovery.
Following the full time whistle England legend Lawrence Dallaglio described the challenge as “reckless” but insisted the Italian did nothing wrong by the law.
However while it is not illegal, former players, fans and pundits have questioned why the ‘crocodile roll’ technique is still allowed within the laws of the game.
REACTION:
Feel sick for Jack Willis.
The laws should change NOW. Don’t allow players to roll out players in Rucks. So f#^king dangerous. #ENGvITA— Jim (@jimhamilton4) February 13, 2021
Why does rugby continue to allow exposed, vulnerable players on the jackal to be rolled sideways while their feet are planted? Jack Willis is one of the most flexible athletes in the game but his knees don’t bend laterally. Hideously dangerous and very avoidable.
— Jamie Lyall (@JLyall93) February 13, 2021
How can you clear out rucks now? It seems fine to croc-roll Jack Willis in #ENGvITA -causing a horrific knee injury- but if you try to clear out a ruck normally, with a shoulder, someone might move their head into the way and you’ll get a red… #SCOvWAL #SixNations
— Joseph Anderson (@janderson_news) February 13, 2021
That’s really not good for Jack Willis. Poor fella. Get well soon!
ADVERTISEMENTI’ve said for a long time that croc rolls are dangerous. Surely players should be on their feet in rucks and not deliberately rolling to the floor. To think some coach it at age grade….
— Adam Gillings (@AdamGRugby) February 13, 2021
Eddie Jones has provided an update on Jack Willis 🤕#GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/4nPsfphHva
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) February 13, 2021
The croc roll results in another big injury in rugby – shows the danger once again in jackaling.
Horrific stuff for Jack Willis, so unfortunate.
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) February 13, 2021
Jack Willis. Not again 😪
The guy earned his England spot having worked SO hard after a year out and came back better than ever.
So cruel. #ENGvITA pic.twitter.com/rh13oILhsV
— Tim Cocker (@cocker) February 13, 2021
Looks like a bad, bad one for Jack Willis. Brutal.
— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) February 13, 2021
Jack Willis…I cannot bear it.
— Alex Payne (@AlexPayneTV) February 13, 2021
I missed the Jack Willis injury thank god. Any news on what he’s done? Another nice clear out at the ruck it sounds like….. #6Nations
— Tom May (@TomMay1) February 13, 2021
Horrible to hear Jack Willis’s screams there. Poor bloke.
— Chris Foy (@FoyChris) February 13, 2021
This is on the breakdown, Jack Willis, and jackallers. Poignant this happened in the week Ellis Jenkins returned after a lay-off of 812 days. Really, really rubbish. https://t.co/585w57dzN9
— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) February 13, 2021
Got to feel for Jack Willis, didn’t look or sound good. Wishing him all the best right now
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) February 13, 2021
Good result for England today, but heart goes out to Jack Willis 💔 #GuinnessSixNations
— ugo monye (@ugomonye) February 13, 2021
Crushed. That’s how I’m feeling about Jack Willis. He worked so hard to come back from ACL/ankle injury in 2018. He didn’t just return, he roared right to the top and inspired Wasps with performances I’ve been very privileged to witness.
Wonderful rugby player & bloke.— Bobby Bridge (@bobby_bridge) February 13, 2021
Well done @ITVRugby for not being too graphic with their replays on the Jack Willis injury 👏.
— mark smith (@markismith50) February 13, 2021
‘It’s nothing illegal but the game has got to look at it’
ADVERTISEMENTBest wishes to @jackswillis7.
Horrible incident.#ENGvITA #GuinnessSixNations #ITVRugby pic.twitter.com/kSqTq6cMTy
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 13, 2021
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