Worcester Warriors’ Jack Owlett has opened up on the ‘helpless’ situation in Ukraine that has had a direct impact on his wife’s family.

Jack’s wife Katya has a Ukranian father and Russian mother and has relatives back in Ukraine in the middle of the Russian invasion.

The Worcester prop revealed how his in-laws have been doing what they can to help those most at need in the now war-torn country.

“Fortunately, they are all now in the west of the country where it is safer and easier to get out,” said Owlett.

“But their words were ‘we were born here and we will die here’ and that’s the dark truth of the matter.

“The family in Kyiv got out and now are trying to take refugees in and help as many people as they can.”

Jack and Katya married four years ago and said the family had been in touch to inform them of their situation.

“We visited Ukraine as a couple after our wedding four years ago and we had a family zoom at the weekend and it was good to see them but they have a curfew and have to have their lights off after a certain time,” added Owlett

“It’s really hard to see everything going on over there and just to feel almost helpless over here.

“But Sixways is doing an amazing thing with their collection and the response from the public has been overwhelming.

“We have also set up our own personal collection and again, we have been inundated with contributions which has been massively appreciated.

“I’m bringing stuff in each day and then lorries are going out of Sixways to get to Ukraine all the time.

“We are doing everything we can, hoping and praying.”

Owlett returned to the rugby field last weekend after five months out with injury and came off the bench against London Irish.

He was signed from Wasps in the summer but has not managed too many minutes for Worcester and is now hoping to just get back to playing, whilst also ensuring he keeps doing his bit to help the cause in Ukraine.

“It’s hard to juggle everything but I have just come back from injury so I have had my downtime and now in the best place, I am raring to go,” he said.

“It’s great to be back on the pitch and now looking forward to getting more minutes starting with Exeter Chiefs this weekend.