England star Jack Willis admits he is still coming to terms with the shock of Wasps demise

Jack Willis broke off from England training on Thursday to reveal the emotional trauma caused by the collapse of Wasps, which left him, brother Tom and so many others unemployed.

Ten days after the meeting which confirmed the club’s demise — with administration leaving all employees redundant — it was still raw for Willis, the flanker who is now an ‘unattached’ member of this England squad.

He came through the Wasps academy to form a sibling alliance in the back row, so the sad demise hit him hard.

Flanker Jack Willis (above) is now an ‘unattached’ member of England squad

It was on October 17, at the state-of-the-art training ground in Henley-in-Arden, that Willis, 25, and his clubmates learned their fate.

‘We were all stunned,’ he said. ‘We didn’t expect the news to be so immediate. It was shocking for everyone in the room. We were just expecting to be told that administration was official, not that we were all redundant.

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‘It was one of the strangest atmospheres I’ve been in. It hit home when they said that was the end of the update. Once everyone stood up and went to head out, it sunk in a little bit. But it still hasn’t really sunk in fully.

‘I was upset immediately, then I’d compose myself, go up to someone else and get upset again. Then I went up to my brother and that has been the hardest part. I don’t know what the future holds but I love playing alongside him.’

Willis came through the academy to form an alliance in the back row with his brother Tom

A number of Wasps players have already been signed by other clubs — with Stade Francais confirming they have recruited Vincent Koch and Paolo Odogwu — but Willis said the outlook is grim.

‘Some lads may not find clubs and some may retire because, with the salary cap restrictions and the current economic climate, it is bleak,’ he said. ‘There are still some lads trying to keep fit until they find a club. Everyone’s got to make decisions according to their family and what is best for them.’

Willis said he is yet to agree terms with another club, but he is believed to have several suitors including Bristol.

‘Were bad decisions made? Yeah, potentially,’ he added. ‘Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I hope it doesn’t lead to the end of Wasps. Let’s hope they can put together something to come back into the Championship next year and we will see them in the Premiership again.’