Willis and Ogre return to favor the English freelancers

V.STom Willis (24) and Gabriel Ogre (24) want to return the favor after learning of the opportunity offered to them by Union Bordeaux-Béglés at a critical time in their lives. So far, they are doing it well. The two Englishmen distinguished themselves in a flurry in Lyon (25-32) on Sunday. The undisputed holder at the center is…

V.STom Willis (24) and Gabriel Ogre (24) want to return the favor after learning of the opportunity offered to them by Union Bordeaux-Béglés at a critical time in their lives. So far, they are doing it well. The two Englishmen distinguished themselves in a flurry in Lyon (25-32) on Sunday. The undisputed holder in the center of the third line, he first showed his usual carnage. A hooker on the field, the second brought all his explosiveness and delivered a brilliant jump pass for Diaby’s effort.

“These two players have brought a real plus to the team, believes president Laurent Marty. They are good on the pitch, they have an exceptional mentality. They bring a lot of commitment and morale. When you see the arrival of established players who are not getting their salaries, when you see their commitment, it lifts everyone up.

Heavy assets

Tom Willis, who was recruited from Wasps last November following the dissolution of the English club, has been hired by the Gironde club as an extra until the end of the season. “When you lose your job, you think about the bills to pay next month,” he confided in “Sud Ouest” upon his arrival. “You know you have to find something else fast. It was a very stressful time. I was lucky to recover very quickly at UBB”.

“These two players are a real plus for the team” (L. Marty)

Two months later, he was joined by his Wasps teammate Gabriel Ogre, who was hired by UBB as Pablo Timseff’s medical joker. “I was lost for a couple of months, not knowing where I could go,” he told Ragbram. I was practicing alone and I was not being paid… I am very grateful that UBB approached me”. Unlike Willis, Ogre had to wait before playing for his new club. As he had already played in European competition with Leicester on loan from Wasps, he was unable to get fit in the Champions Cup. Restricted by Lamothe and Menadier in the post, he needed time to adapt to the Championship, which is more physical than the Premiership. But since his debut on the pitch for Stade Franchise, he has played 8 games (3 starts) and has been effective when he has played.

Before saying goodbye

The two Englishmen are determined to extend the adventure through UBB as long as possible before returning home. Much to the chagrin of the Gironde club, Tom Willis will join Saracens. “When he came with us, we immediately understood that we could not keep him, Laurent Marty regrets. I offered him a contract of one and a half years, but he refused because he had already signed in England, where he wanted to have a chance to wear the chosen shirt. As for Gabriel Ogre, Ziff did not benefit from his status either, with four hookers for the Girondin club next season (Lamothe, Saw, Lauterrade, Manadier) There is no room for him in his task force.

Meanwhile, UBB can count on them against La Rochelle on Saturday in San Sebastian. Cross the halfway mark and try to push back the goodbye time.