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England's squad has sparked fears that too much is expected of Billy Vunipola
After Eddie Jones announced on Monday his final 31-man England squad for the World Cup, fans are expecting a lot from No8 Billy Vunipola.
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Fresh from a man of the match performance against Wales at Twickenham on Sunday, the Saracens back row has long been one of England’s best and most influential players. However, the RWC squad announcement has heaped additional pressure on him.
Jones’ initial World Cup training squad in July had Brad Shields and Mark Wilson listed as the two players who could be Vuniploa’s back-up in the No8, although both are primarily flankers.
An injury to Shields saw Harlequins’ Alex Dombrandt come into the squad, a player who is much more accustomed to playing at the base of the scrum. However, neither Shields nor Dombrandt made the final squad, meaning there is no clear-cut back up to 26-year-old Vunipola should he need a rest.
This development has surprised some fans on social media, as Dombrandt’s versatility in the back row could have proven crucial in Japan.
Eddie Jones has named his 31-man England squad for the Rugby World Cuphttps://t.co/K41hq4OZmT
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 12, 2019
Wilson deputised last autumn as a No8 while Vunipola was injured and while he did a great job, his best position is clearly No6. But that is perhaps why Jones has not opted for another eight in the squad, as simply no one competes with Vunipola.
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While fellow specialist Nathan Hughes had been a mainstay in Jones’ squads over the past four years, the Australian may have reached the conclusion that it is futile having another eight in the squad as Vunipola will ultimately play as much a possible as he is a world-class player.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1BxzxYA3Bv/
This is not necessarily a rare decision in Test rugby. The All Blacks are unlikely to name an eight behind captain Kieran Read. Rather they will rely on flanker Ardie Savea being able to move to the back of the scrum when needed. Likewise, after the injury to Taulupe Faletau, Wales will only have Ross Moriarty in the squad as an out-and-out eight.
If fit, Vuniplola is always going to start in the key pool games against France and Argentina and also any knockout games. But with games against the USA and Tonga only four days apart, that is when the services of Wilson may be needed in order to give Vunipola a break as he is also likely to play a full 80 minutes in every game.
While Jones may have given himself the luxury of being able to rotate players around during the World Cup in other positions, his squad is a statement that a lot is expected from Vunipola. Fans on Twitter seem very aware of this and this is what has been said:
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Happy with the Backrow, but a case could definitely be made for Dombrandt. With no Hughes, is there enough size or destructive ball carriers? Aus probably proved that this isn't a necessity though given they played without any true no 8 in their 2015 campaign. #RWC2019
— Conor R Dolan (@ConorDolan01) August 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/TNODonoghue/status/1160895311381970944?s=20
Its a huge risk IMO to only take Billy as a genuine 8. He picks up injuries frequently and basically they expect him to play 80 most games. Do we really expect to win the WC if he gets injured and Wilson has to go 8? A lot of flaws to just taking Billy IMO.
— For Rucks Sake (@RucksSake) August 12, 2019
Scrum half light for me, basically Youngs and Heinz are gonna have to play a lot of rugby. I'd have sacrificed an outside back. Billy Vunipola is going to have to a lot of game time as well, Mark Wilson can back up there but he's going to be starting at 6.
— Phil (@_PhilWorld) August 12, 2019
Genuine thought here – assuming EJ intends on going the distance and winning the WC, he is expecting both Ben Youngs and Heinz to both play every single game of the WC between them? Am i nuts for thinking thats nuts? And similar…Billy Vunipola 80 minutes most games.
— For Rucks Sake (@RucksSake) August 12, 2019
Perhaps the most concerning thing for some English fans is the fact that Vunipola has been through a few injury-plagued years. In light of this, it may be unnecessary to overwork him in games or situations where he may not be needed.
Then again, he has also shown to be an indispensable member of Jones’ squad as he strengthens the team immeasurably.
WATCH: Jonathan Joseph tells RugbyPass about his Sunday at Twickenham and his World Cup selection
Comments on RugbyPass
9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
8 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
8 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to comments