Billy Vunipola could return to action when England play host to Wales in their Rugby World Cup warm-up rematch at Twickenham on Saturday.
The 30-year-old has been ruled out since April after having two knee operations, but England head coach Steve Borthwick revealed that the Saracens back-row is in good shape and could make his comeback this weekend.
As the only specialist number eight selected in England’s 33-man World Cup squad, Vunipola is due for a heavy workload, although players like Lewis Ludlam, Ben Earl and Tom Curry can also fill in at the base of the scrum.
Crucial to England’s cause
His strength as a ball carrier, especially at close range, is a distinguishing feature of Vunipola’s game which makes him crucial to England’s cause, even though he last played for the Red Rose during the Autumn Nations Series in 2022.
Borthwick’s predecessor Eddie Jones felt that Vunipola benefits from playing as frequently as possible and there will not be a change in that plan in order to get the best out of the player.
“Billy is a guy who wants to play rugby and wants to play a lot of minutes,” said Borthwick, who revealed that Ollie Chessum’s return from a serious foot injury is also imminent.
“We want him to play as much as he possibly can and he’s desperate to play as much as he possibly can. Billy brings a certain skill-set that’s different to the skill sets of other players and that’s why I picked him.
“I’m very clear about how we need to play in this tournament and that’s ultimately why I made the decision to go with Billy.
“He looks in great shape and is the fittest I’ve ever seen him. His experience will add to this squad.
“He’s a very mature player now. He’s taken a very mature approach to his recovery, and has been very determined to be fit for this World Cup.”
Borthwick is set to reveal at Thursday’s team announcement if the second clash of the double header against Wales is the right occasion for Vunipola and Chessum to return to the pack but Curry will definitely not be involved.
The openside flanker has been struggling with an ankle injury which he sustained in training last week and will not be available for selection until England’s clash with Ireland on August 19 at the earliest.
Ben Earl could come into the back-row this weekend at Twickenham, however, as he celebrates his success in sealing a World Cup spot despite tough competition for the flanker berths.
Special occasion for current Premiership player of the season
It will be a special moment for the Premiership player of the season, who was marginalised by Jones and only featured in two Six Nations Tests under Borthwick earlier this year.
“Ben brings a point of difference in his attacking game, his athleticism and ability to work on edges in attack,” Borthwick said.
“He featured in the Six Nations and was in the training squad regularly. I asked him to go away and work on a couple of things.
“Richard Hill (team manager) and I checked in every week as part of a debrief process and Ben was so diligent in applying those things to his game.”
READ MORE: Sir Clive Woodward: Top Rugby World Cup teams ‘won’t be scared’ of England
Article courtesy of
Source link
