image source, Getty Images
- author, Mantei Man
- role, bbc sports journalist
Investec Champions Cup Semi-Finals
venue: Stadium de Toulouse date: Sunday, May 5th time: 15:00 BST
coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra. Live text updates on his website and app on BBC Sport
Toulouse flanker Jack Willis says he is thriving in the south of France as he feels less pressure on himself to perform.
The 27-year-old won the Top 14 title last season, but as Toulouse prepare to face Harlequins in Sunday's Champions Cup semi-final, a double domestic and European qualification spot remains in the cards. He said he feels “freer” inside now.
“From a rugby standpoint, I learned to give my all during the week, but I also learned to take a little bit of pressure off myself,” Willis said.
“You have a lot of things going on in your head and you have to organize things correctly, otherwise you can get very tired and get stuck.
“I have been doing great work with my psychologist, which has freed me up to compete.”
Five-time champions Toulouse are the most successful club in the history of the Champions Cup, and they booked a place in the last four against exciting Exeter in the quarter-finals.
Willis has won 14 caps for England, but was not eligible for Test selection due to Rugby Football Union (RFU) rules that players can only be selected for the national team if they play in the Premiership. Must not be.
However, the flanker enjoys playing alongside star players such as France's Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamak and Scotland's Blair Kinghorn.
He added: “When I first arrived, I only signed for a few months, but then I decided to extend my contract for good reason.
“This is a great place with a great group of players, coaches and people around the club.
“It's very competitive and it really tests you as a player. When everyone is fit, you have to do your best to get selected. I like that a lot.”
Willis said the club's European pedigree was second to none to him.
“When it comes to Europe, it's incredibly special,” Willis said. “We have a very rich history in this sport and they are very passionate about building on that.
“The chairman is behind the coaching staff, the coaching staff is behind us and we all want to win. There's a belief in this group, but we know how much effort it means. .”
Evans is a threat to us
Willis' opposite number and fellow English player Will Evans has enjoyed an influential season for Quins, although he has yet to catch the attention of England head coach Steve Borthwick.
Evans' expertise in winning the ball at the breakdown has been evident in this season's Premiership.
“Will's a great player, unbelievable off the ball, but he's dangerous for the way we want to play,” Willis said.
“We want to have a fluid attack and take care of the ball, but he's a threat to that so we need to neutralize him as much as possible.
“It's mutual respect. I always keep an eye on him and I like to see him make turnovers.”
Harlequins will be in their first Champions Cup semi-final after overcoming a thrilling last-eight tie in Bordeaux, but Willis is well aware of the challenge they will pose.
He added: “If you give them an inch, they'll take you a mile. Once they make a play and get some momentum, they go off with their hearts held high.
“It is very important that we act quickly so that what happened in Bordeaux does not happen to us.”
