We have heard much wailing and gnashing of teeth over Tom Willis, largely from those who assumed the France-bound Saracens forward would be given a long run in the England pack, starting with next month’s Test series at Twickenham.

The absence of natural-born No.8s in the current squad has only heightened their sense of anguish. Demand may be high, but supply is low.
The rest of the planet will hardly be crying themselves to sleep over this latest outbreak of Red Rose unease: there are no violins small enough on which to play their tunes.
But, as the South Africans are currently discovering...