Ben Willis (rugby union) explained

Ben Willis
Full Name:Benjamin John Willis
Birth Date:8 October 1976
Birth Place:Auckland, New Zealand
Height:5 ft 9 in
Weight:187 lb
School:King's College
Position:Halfback
Years1:2000–01
Clubs1:Grenoble
Years2:2001–03
Clubs2:Leinster Rugby
Years3:2003–04
Clubs3:Harlequins
Years4:2004–05
Clubs4:AS Beziers
Years5:2005–07
Clubs5:London Irish
Years6:2007
Clubs6:Saracens
Provinceyears1:1995–98
Provinceapps1:7
Provincepoints1:10
Provinceyears2:1999–00
Provinceapps2:22
Provincepoints2:30
Superyears1:1999
Superapps1:1
Superpoints1:0
Repyears1:2002
Repteam1:Ireland "A"

Benjamin John Willis (born 8 October 1976) is a New Zealand former professional rugby union player.[1]

Biography

Born in Auckland, Willis is a descendant of novelist Jane Austen and was educated at King's College.[2]

Rugby career

Willis, a NZ Colts halfback, appeared once for the Chiefs in the 1999 Super 12 season. He left New Zealand rugby after the 2000 season to continue his career in Europe, starting with a stint at Grenoble, then signing with Leinster. Qualifying through an Irish grandfather, Willis was an Ireland "A" representative player during his time at Leinster, before moving on to Harlequins in 2003. He was in the New Zealand Barbarians team that played England at Twickenham in 2003 and had a season with AS Beziers in 2004–05.[3] Following his time in France, Willis competed for London Irish from 2005 to 2007, at the end of which he linked up with Saracens as Heineken Cup injury cover.[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: Exiles snap up Flutey and Willis . . 26 May 2005.
  2. Web site: London Irish Swoop For Willis . Irish Rugby . 27 May 2005.
  3. News: Falcons on Barbarians' bench . . 19 December 2003 . en.
  4. Web site: Willis registered as Saracens cover . . 13 December 2007.