In a high-stakes Champions Cup clash, the spotlight was on two siblings, Tom and Jack Willis, who found themselves on opposite sides of the battle.
With just 10 minutes remaining, Tom, playing for Saracens, charged forward with the ball from a scrum, only to meet his older brother Jack, who was in the No6 jersey for Toulouse.
It wasn’t just a game—it was a family grudge match, a moment that felt like something straight out of their childhood, back in the garden of their Reading home.
But this time, their tussle was far from play; it was the stuff of heavyweight rugby.
From Garden Battles to European Glory
The Willis brothers have come a long way since their younger days of scrapping in their backyard.
Today, they are two of the most formidable back-row forwards in Europe.
Their performances in this Champions Cup game served as a reminder to English rugby of what they’re missing: fierce tackles, powerful turnovers, and relentless work ethic, especially in difficult conditions like the torrential rain that soaked the pitch.
Tom, who was dealing with a back injury, played through the pain barrier, adding to Saracens’ most significant win of the season.
England boasts a wealth of back-row talent, but few possess the raw physicality of the Willis brothers.
Had the rugby landscape been different—less financially driven, perhaps—they might have been household names in the England team.
Tom’s decision to move to Bordeaux next season, leaving behind his potential spot in the national team’s World Cup squad, marks a poignant moment.
The Willis brothers, had the stars aligned, could’ve dominated international rugby just like the Youngs brothers—Ben and Tom.
A Battle of Two Heavyweights
The game itself was a test of endurance, with both sides pushing each other to the limit.
Saracens’ aggressive line speed and physical play rattled Toulouse, forcing mistakes in their ranks.
Antoine Dupont, typically the orchestrator for Toulouse, struggled to gain any freedom against the relentless pressure from Saracens’ defense.
Without key players like Romain Ntamack and Ange Capuozzo, Toulouse lacked the cutting edge they needed, while Saracens capitalized on their opportunity.
Blair Kinghorn, stepping in at fly-half for Toulouse, did his best in the face of difficult conditions, but the rain and wind made it tough for him to guide his team around the field.
On the other side, Saracens’ Owen Farrell took control late in the game, showing the composure needed in the final quarter to push Saracens over the line.
Saracens’ Resilience Shines Through
This win came at a crucial point in Saracens’ season.
The team had been inconsistent, with director of rugby Mark McCall openly criticizing his players’ attitude after a defeat to Leicester.
But this match proved Saracens could rise to the occasion when it mattered.
Maro Itoje’s disruptive presence in the lineout and Theo McFarland’s long reach over the rucks helped snuff out Toulouse’s attacking opportunities.
Tom Willis, in particular, was a standout, carrying the ball 17 times—twice as many as his brother Jack—and scoring a try to put Saracens in a commanding position at halftime.
“It was a weird feeling playing against my brother,” Tom admitted after the match.
“We spent six years playing together at Wasps, so to face off was emotional, but also kind of strange.”
However, the competitive fire in both brothers was evident.
Tom expressed pride in Saracens’ performance, noting how the team managed to weather a storm in the first half and grind out a victory despite the challenging weather conditions.
Moments of Magic and Key Turnovers
The game wasn’t without its moments of brilliance.
Young centre Olly Hartley’s pivotal turnover on his own try line helped Saracens hold off Toulouse, even as they found themselves pinned in their own half for much of the first quarter.
Despite being 11-point underdogs, Saracens’ Rotimi Segun turned the tide by scoring two tries down the left wing, which ultimately helped secure the win.
Ahead of the game, Saracens had a frank “honesty session,” urging their senior leaders to step up.
Maro Itoje led the charge, pushing his teammates to elevate their emotional intensity, while Tom Willis was at the heart of that physical challenge.
As Itoje said, “Tom is a massive player for us.
He’s probably the most awkward ball carrier I’ve seen.
He just finds ways to get forward, even when the defense is all over him.”
The Aftermath: Family Pride and Saracens’ Survival
In the end, while the Willis brothers may have split the family bragging rights—Tom’s Saracens emerging victorious—what really mattered was that Saracens secured their place in the Champions Cup knockout stages.
Toulouse, despite being led by the exceptional Dupont, will now have to beat Sale to stay in contention after a tough start to their pool campaign.
For the Willis family, this match was a milestone—one of those rare moments when personal and professional collide in the most meaningful way.
But for Saracens, it’s about moving forward, building momentum, and hoping this win can spark a streak of consistency as they push through the rest of the season.
As for Tom and Jack, they can look back on this game with pride, knowing they’ve both made their mark on European rugby—though, for now, it’s the younger Willis who will hold the family bragging rights.
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