Billy Vunipola is rehabilitating from a knee injury suffered playing for Saracens in April; the No 8 is in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup in September; Steve Borthwick has been impressed by the early work of the 28 players at England’s World Cup preparation camp
Last Updated: 14/06/23 11:48pm
Billy Vunipola is recovering from a knee injury
England head coach Steve Borthwick says he is “very hopeful” Billy Vunipola will be able to feature in August’s Rugby World Cup warm-up fixtures as the forward continues his recovery from a knee injury.
The number eight’s participation in a third successive World Cup appeared to be in doubt when he was injured playing for Saracens against La Rochelle in the Champions Cup quarter-finals in April.
However, with Vunipola rehabilitating his knee at England’s World Cup preparation camp, Borthwick has given his strongest indicator yet that the 30-year-old is on course for a place in the final 33-man squad, which will be named on August 7.
England begin their final preparations with a visit to Wales on August 5, before a return fixture at Twickenham the following weekend. Borthwick’s side then visit Ireland and take on Fiji in a final warm-up on August 26, before beginning their World Cup campaign against Argentina on September 9.
“I think he’s doing really well,” Borthwick told Sky Sports News.
England head coach Steve Borthwick says he has been pleased by his players’ application
“I’m not going to put a timeline or a date on it because I thin …