Billy Vunipola to miss England's vital Six Nations match against Wales
BILLY VUNIPOLA is out of England’s showdown Six Nations’ game against Wales with the ankle injury he sustained at Twickenham on Saturday.
The powerful No8 is understood to be sidelined for the rest of the championship after a scan yesterday revealed ligament damage.
England will instead turn to Gloucester’s Ben Morgan, who rejected an approach to play for Wales when he was with the Scarlets, for the big match at Twickenham a week on Sunday.
While Morgan has made a considerable impact off the bench in the three matches so far, England will miss the thrust of the 19st 11lb Vunipola, who has started every Test this season.
He limped off in the first half of England’s 13-10 victory on Saturday after a tackle by Devin Toner and left Twickenham on crutches. His injury absence will be officially confirmed tomorrow.
While Vunipola is out of the Wales game, Manu Tuilagi will make a late play for inclusion when he makes his comeback for Leicester at Newcastle on Sunday.
Tuilagi has been sidelined by a chest injury since September but is finally ready to return for the Tigers – most probably off the bench – at Kingston Park.
“Manu is progressing and hopefully he will play some part against Newcastle next week,” said Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill.
However, after such a long lay-off, his return is likely to too late to force his way into England contention – particularly with Luther Burrell making a positive impression with two tries in three games since his call-up.
Championship leaders Ireland have an injury concern ahead of their next game against Italy over flanker Peter O’Mahony, who damaged a hamstring in the defeat to England.
The Irish, who train in Belfast this week, are more optimistic over the fitness of Brian O’Driscoll, whose calf problem at Twickenham has been put down to cramp. If he takes the field against the Azzurri, O’Driscoll will become the most-capped player in the history of Test rugby.