'Mako's hamstring injury requires surgery and will take a minimum of three months to recover'
Mako Vunipola must undergo hamstring surgery as he races against time to prove his fitness for England’s pursuit of the World Cup.
Saracens have revealed that Vunipola will need “a minimum of three months” of rehabilitation once the operation is completed, casting doubt over his involvement in this autumn’s global showpiece.
England head coach Eddie Jones will give his most effective player and the game’s standout loosehead prop every chance to secure a place in his squad for Japan 2019, but any setbacks in recovery could be damaging.
Vunipola lasted half an hour of Saturday’s Champions Cup final victory over Leinster and while Saracens were initially more upbeat over the severity of the torn hamstring, a visit to a specialist revealed the true extent of the damage.
“Mako’s hamstring injury requires surgery and will take a minimum of three months to recover,” a joint statement issued by England and Saracens read.
GET WELL SOON, MAKO 👊@Saracens and England prop @Mako_Vunipola ruled out for three months: https://t.co/Bq2PjYzfTM pic.twitter.com/Vr5m8VYQwC
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 17, 2019
England fly to Japan on September 8 and play their opening match against Tonga two weeks later. Even if Vunipola’s recovery follows the best case scenario he will be forced to miss two of the four warm-up matches, home and away against Wales, leaving the August 24 and September 6 appointments against Ireland and Italy as possible opportunities to gain match fitness.
Jones is due to name his World Cup squad in late August but can make changes until the official deadline of September 8 – the day they depart for their pre-tournament training camp in Miyazaki.
England’s head coach can take some comfort in knowing that the tougher pool games – against Argentina and France – arrive at the end of the group campaign, offering Vunipola time to bed in. The 28-year-old Lion missed a large chunk of the Six Nations earlier this year with an ankle problem and then suffered another injury to the same joint that resulted in an aborted comeback.
The showdown with Leinster in Newcastle was only his second match since the Championship rout of France in mid-February and will now sit out the climax to Saracens’ quest for the double through the successful defence of their Gallagher Premiership crown.
Vunipola is among England’s most influential figures due to his exceptional work-rate, power in the tackle, carrying threat, leadership and handling skills. Alongside Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and his younger brother Billy Vunipola, he is a world-class player that Jones dare not lose.
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Ellis Genge, Ben Moon and Alec Hepburn have deputised for the New Zealand-born front row of Tongan heritage, but all three are Test rookies and Jones might now consider an attempt to persuade veteran Joe Marler to rethink international retirement.
– Press Association
WATCH: Jim Hamilton interview Billy Vunipola for RugbyPass after last Saturday Champions Cup final win by Saracens
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments