ENGLAND NUMBER EIGHT Billy Vunipola faces a race against time to be fit for Saracens’ Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster on Easter Sunday.
Vunipola sustained an arm injury in January and missed the Six Nations tournament as a result.
He was hoping to return in time for the trip to Dublin to face Leinster.
But Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has revealed his fitness remains in doubt.
Advertisement
It was the latest setback of torrid 18-month spell that also included substantial lay-offs due to knee and shoulder surgeries and McCall will not gamble on his fitness against Leinster.
“It’s a little bit uncertain, Billy is in a race against time to be ready for the quarter-final,” McCall said on Tuesday.
“We’ll make a call on what the surgeon says. If the arm isn’t right to play then we won’t risk him. He’s been injured enough, we don’t want to re-injure him.
“Billy is very close to coming back but whether he makes the quarter-final we’re not sure yet.”
Vunipola’s comeback is being monitored carefully by England, who sorely missed the rampaging back-row during their fifth-place finish in the Six Nations that was sealed by a 24-15 defeat by Ireland on Saturday.
Nathan Hughes filled the 25-year-old’s boots for two matches before suffering a knee injury that required surgery, while Sam Simmonds started three games only for concern to be raised over his size for a number eight.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
13 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Vunipola in race to be fit for Saracens' Champions Cup showdown with Leinster
ENGLAND NUMBER EIGHT Billy Vunipola faces a race against time to be fit for Saracens’ Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster on Easter Sunday.
Vunipola sustained an arm injury in January and missed the Six Nations tournament as a result.
He was hoping to return in time for the trip to Dublin to face Leinster.
But Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has revealed his fitness remains in doubt.
It was the latest setback of torrid 18-month spell that also included substantial lay-offs due to knee and shoulder surgeries and McCall will not gamble on his fitness against Leinster.
“It’s a little bit uncertain, Billy is in a race against time to be ready for the quarter-final,” McCall said on Tuesday.
“We’ll make a call on what the surgeon says. If the arm isn’t right to play then we won’t risk him. He’s been injured enough, we don’t want to re-injure him.
Vunipola’s comeback is being monitored carefully by England, who sorely missed the rampaging back-row during their fifth-place finish in the Six Nations that was sealed by a 24-15 defeat by Ireland on Saturday.
Nathan Hughes filled the 25-year-old’s boots for two matches before suffering a knee injury that required surgery, while Sam Simmonds started three games only for concern to be raised over his size for a number eight.
© – AFP, 2018
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Ireland’s Grand Slam victory over England draws over 1.3 million TV viewers
Iain Henderson commits long-term future to Ulster and Ireland
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
billy vunipola European Rugby Champions Cup Injury Doubt Leinster Saracens