Former England Captain Chris Robshaw backs Saracens' Tom Willis for big shift against Munster to bolster Six Nations hopes

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The stage is set for the third round of the 2024/25 Investec Champions Cup, with former England captain Chris Robshaw excited to see some potential Test match candidates step-up this weekend. England head coach Steve Borthwick is set to pencil in his squad for the 2025 Men’s Guinness Six Nations on January 14th, with this weekend presenting an opportune chance to impress the boss.

Saracens back row Tom Willis is one such talent who is clambering for a place in the Six Nations camp, with a wider training group set to jet out to Girona for a pre-tournament tune up in the coming weeks. Willis has been in mesmeric form for the Londoners this season, with his Director of Rugby Mark McCall firmly behind his number eight for an England involvement throughout February and March.

Chris Robshaw echoes such thoughts, with Saracens upcoming clash with Munster providing the perfect platform for Willis to showcase his talents. It will be a difficult challenge for Sarries as they travel across to Limerick for this third round battle, but Robshaw believes that if Willis wants to stake his claim for the England eight jersey, it should be against such high class opposition.

“He’s been brilliant all season, and I think for him, it is exactly that, isn’t it? It’s that opportunity to prove it wasn’t kind of a one or two game off, because this now, for him, going over to Munster is a step up to probably the level he’s been performing at. So for him now to go over there, whether it’s against (Gavin) Coombs, against (Peter) O’Mahony, if fit, of course.

“But I think they’ll be quietly confident to be honest, going over there. Munster, they aren’t quite the Munster of old, Saracens,have got a little bit a form and a bit of a spring in their steps. So, no doubt it’s a big opportunity for him, really. Because, I mean, there’s a lot of back rows to choose, so for Steve, I think he’s got to be really confident that he can do it in an away way, fixer in a tough environment. He’ll definitely going to be a question, he’ll want to be answered.”

Willis could well be set to pack down against a Munster back row, that has been reinforced by an all-time legend of the Irish province. Former Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony is speculated to return from injury this Saturday, and the flanker would certainly elevate those around him, alongside his fellow stalwart returnee, Conor Murray. Robshaw believes that such calibre of opponents will only fire up the hungry Saracens young-guns, who will be out for blood in the clash at Thomond Park.

“That’s also great as well. That’s who as a player you want to go up against. You’re going to be challenging yourself against the best players and go to Munster you want those players to be playing. Of course, O’Mahony we know his line-out skill, and I’m sure he had a good compliment to Tadgh Beirne who I think is absolutely brilliant. Then, of course, Conor Murray, the most controlled scrum half they’ve got, going and playing them in the right areas. Especially the way that Saracens tend to play, taking out a lot of the threats will be good.”

Furthermore, the incoming trip across the Irish Sea, presents Steve Borthwick with the chance to see just how well Tom Willis and Ben Earl co-operate in the same back row. Whilst Earl is expected to be named on the flank for Sarries this Saturday, the hard-hitter has become Borthwick’s first choice eight-man since Billy Vunipola ended his Test match career. With Willis gunning for his teammate’s eight jersey at England level, the trip to Limerick has plenty to offer Borthwick from a tactical standpoint.

“I think so they’ve been playing together all season. It’s not the first time they played together and last season as well. So they know each other well. And definitely coaches do look at combinations and how it works. But I think that’s an interesting one, because you look at Ben Earl, I think he’s been a little bit quieter in the Autumn, but he’s been England’s best player since probably the World Cup.

“And the other question is, if he does move across (to flanker), you’ve got to leave Curry or Underhill out anyway. So are you going to risk losing both of them or leaving both of them out? That’s a big, big change to this England side.”

Looking at the additional Premiership clubs set for Champions Cup action this weekend, and Robshaw turned his attention to his beloved Harlequins. It is do or die time for the men in the famous quarters, with their opening round defeat to Racing 92 resting heavy on their chances to progress into the knock-out stages. Harlequins travel out to France for a battle with a rejuvenated RC Toulon side, who Robshaw believes are steadily climbing back to their previous status of European heavyweights.

“It’s a brilliant, brilliant fixture as well. Quins have to go down, weather will be half decent down in the south of France, with a big England contingency down there. But Quins, they like a challenge in an away trip, especially in France. They’re going up against a Toulon side who are getting back to where they were in this competition. They’re building confidence, they’re a strong side. They went down to the Stormers had an abrasive game down there, a brilliant game against Glasgow.

“They seem to be confident, Dan Biggar’s playing well. I’m not sure if he’s fit, but he’s playing well. They’re confident. So it’s a massive challenge for Quins, especially for a Quins side, which probably haven’t been at the best this year or not yet. So look, it’s a big ask.”

Whilst Toulon boast a squad that is brimming with talent, the French club will be without their resilient back rower Charles Ollivon. The 31-year-old sustained a severe knee injury in his latest club duties in the Top 14, with suspected ACL damage set to sideline him for France’s entire 2025 Men’s Six Nations campaign. Robshaw spoke from a back rower’s perspective, on the magnitude of the loss for both Toulon and Les Bleus.

“He’s a huge loss. He’s a phenomenal talent.” Robshaw said. “He’s a brilliant player, massive loss for both (Toulon and France). He’s a brilliant player, he’s a big player, think it was an ACL (injury), so it’s going to be a significant time as well, so that’s a huge loss.”

Elsewhere in the Champions Cup, Bristol Bears have a must-win home match scheduled against Benetton Treviso, after two previous round defeats. Pat Lam’s side sustained hard-fought losses to Champions Cup giants Leinster and La Rochelle earlier in the competition, with this Sunday’s clash at Ashton Gate providing a solid chance to get back on the right track.

It is also a significant opportunity for England prospect Gabriel Ibitoye to showcase his talents to the England selectors, as the Bristol wing has been in formiddable form this season. Having stepped up to fill the injury absence left by fellow countryman Max Malins, Ibitoye earned himself the October Premiership Player of the Month award, and a stunning try scoring rate in all competitions (eight tries in 12 matches).

Ibitoye was later called up for an England A cap in the Autumn, with Sunday’s battle with the Italians exactly what he needs to further stake his claim for the England camp. With Exeter wing Manny Feyi-Waboso set to undergo shoulder sergury and miss the entire 2025 Six Nations, the door is open for Ibitoye, with another strong Bristol performance set to propel him into the England training squad.

“Well I’ll be honest, with England wingers, they are pretty set with (Tommy) Freeman. He (Gabriel Ibitoye) looked really good, but I think that anyone trying to break in, they needed an injury, unfortunately. For (Ollie) Sleightholme or whoever, has not got that opportunity.

“Ibitoye, in terms of his style of play, he is probably most similar to the way he (Immanuel Feyi-Waboso) played in terms of being a power athlete, in and coming off his wing and trying to beat defenders. It’s a great opportunity for him, because the Champions Cup is close to international rugby, so he’ll definitely want to play well. He’ll definitely want to have big impacts in the game. This season he’s been good, brilliant, and I think he’s been a lot more consistent.”

Sticking with the West Country, and Exeter Chiefs have struggled to find form so far this season, but managed to scrape off the mark last time out with a win over Gloucester. The Chiefs have a monumental task this weekend, as Rob Baxter’s men host Top 14 leaders Bordeaux-Begles at Sandy Park. Robshaw wishes the Chiefs all the best for an uphill battle, with the heavily favoured French outfit eyeing up a significant win down in Devon.

“I mean, let’s be honest. It doesn’t go any easier in the season now. Now they’ve got their win, and they’ve got the monkey off their back. But, I think Bordeaux are one of the favourites for this tournament, or one of the highest last kind of standards, so for Exeter I think it’s going to be a tough day.”

Chris Robshaw is part of the Premier Sports team bringing UK & Ireland rugby fans every game live in the Investec Champions Cup with 80 live games this season across both EPCR tournaments including the knockout stages and Finals – visit www.premiersports.tv to sign-up. Premier Sports is available from £10.99 a month on Sky, Virgin and Amazon Prime plus streams online via the Premier Sports App. 

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