'It's personal': England rift alleged between Vunipola and Borthwick
An ex-England international has alleged that a bust-up is the reason why Billy Vunipola hasn’t figured at all this year for his country under new head coach Steve Borthwick. Previous head coach Eddie Jones had recalled the Saracens No8 for last July’s three-Test series win away to Australia and Vunipola remained the player in that England jersey for three of England’s four Autumn Nations Series matches in November, starting versus Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa and coming off the bench against Japan
Vunipla was absent, though, when Borthwick named his 36-strong squad on January 16 for the 2023 championship and the coach has since named the generally misfiring Alex Dombrandt as his No8 in all four England matches – including last Saturday’s humiliating record home defeat versus France.
Given that the England back row of Lewis Ludlam, Jack Willis, Dombrandt and replacement Ben Curry were so brutally blown away by the French, former England out-half Andy Goode had hoped that Borthwick would recall Vunipola for the final match of the campaign away to Ireland next Saturday in Dublin.
However, Borthwick continued to exclude Vunipola when the squad was publicly confirmed on Monday morning and Goode, appearing on the latest edition of The Rugby Pod he hosts with Jim Hamilton, has now alleged that a bust-up with coach Borthwick is the reason for Vunipola’s continued absence.
Borthwick would have previously worked with Vunipola when he was the England assistant coach under Jones, taking charge of the forwards from 2016 through to the pandemic suspension of the 2020 Six Nations. Throughout that period, Vunipola was a regular Test pick when he was fit, but he has now been cast aside since Borthwick took charge after joining from Leicester in December.
England le crunched, Jim gets a new tattoo and we’re joined by Italy’s Paolo Garbisi ??
Listen now on Spotify ? https://t.co/5QnNS4nQ51 pic.twitter.com/4utgknEngr
— The Rugby Pod (@TheRugbyPod) March 14, 2023
Asked on the show about the England back row situation, Goode said: “This is the thing, pre-match doing the analysis, seven of that eight pack that monstered by France started every Six Nations game. Dombrandt, non-existent in the game, has been poor in the Six Nations. I look at the squad thinking, ‘You want some ballast, bring Billy back’. Billy ain’t there and I’m hearing the reasons around Billy not being involved in the Steve Borthwick squad is because they had a fallout. Had a fallout and Steve won’t pick him for that reason.
“From what I hear and understand it’s personal. Steve won’t pick Billy Vunipola because of what happened previously between them.”
Co-host Hamilton interjected that it was crazy how only last month the talk was about the England back row having so many options available and now this particular part of the team now appears to be stuck in a selection rut. Goode replied: “Well, there is one in the squad who probably makes more metres, breaks more tackles, metres after tackles, everything that you need – Ben Earl.
“He is not a massive bloke but in terms of performance of what he has done in the Premiership this year: I don’t have the stats to hand, but I’d be amazed if he is not in the most metres made bracket, most tackle busts, most metres made after contact as a player in the Premiership – and he can’t get a look in under Steve. I know he played Italy and put a kick in because that is probably what they told him to do but I can’t see England winning.”
Quizzed about what decision Borthwick will make at No10 given the current speculation is that George Ford could be a starter in Dublin, Goode, who is also a RugbyPass columnist, said: “What has George Ford done to deserve playing for England in the here and now? Off the back of an achilles injury, he has played two-and-a-half games (for Sale), has not set the world alight, and got spanked by London Irish at the weekend.
“I am bringing Manu (Tuilagi) back in the centres, so you have got to back Marcus Smith again (at 10) which probably means you have got a choice to make between Owen (Farrell) at 12, which I don’t agree with… I can’t see England winning. I can see a better performance from England, but this Ireland team is at times unplayable.”
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments