England defence coach John Mitchell is confident of Billy Vunipola’s fitness ahead of Saturday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final with Australia but there’s not such good news for Jack Nowell.
Vunipola has been out of action since England’s last pool game against Argentina, with fans getting a mighty scare last week as pictures emerged of him wearing an ankle boot over his injury.
However, it seems as though that was just precautionary with Mitchell saying the powerful Saracens No 8 is now “very likely” to be involved this weekend in what is a major boost for the English.
“Billy is progressing really well. He has trained again today and we are very confident in his progression each day. He’s very likely (to be available). Billy is a very important player to us and a very likeable player as well. He fits well within the team. He loves the ball in his hand. He is very good at regaining and retaining momentum. He likes carrying the ball which is where he has his greatest influence,” he said.
Head coach Eddie Jones is set to name his team on Thursday and it is expected that if Vunipola is available he will be one of the first names on the team sheet as he has played all 12 of England’s tests this year.
However, things are not looking so good for back Nowell, who appears to be suffering from a hamstring injury ahead of the crunch clash.
“Jack wasn’t at training on Tuesday. He is on another prescription of training and is also progressing,” Mitchell added.
It is a cruel blow for Nowell who has only recovered from an ankle injury he picked up at the start of June, he came on to play in England’s last game against the Pumas and even went on to score a brilliant solo try, but his inclusion this week looks very unlikely.
England will hope to make it to another World Cup semi-final with victory over the Wallabies on Saturday having defeated them in all of their past six matches, with the prize of winning being a last-four tie with either Ireland or New Zealand.
