The England reason why No8 Billy Vunipola is suddenly back in favour

Henry Slade’s omission from the 33-strong England squad was the major talking point at Twickenham after head coach Steve Borthwick confirmed the identity of the 10 players he has cut loose from his Rugby World Cup plans after last week’s opening Summer Nations Series match week culminated in a 9-20 defeat to Wales in Cardiff.

On the complete other side of the scale, Billy Vunipola, someone whose 2022/23 club season was cut short in April through a knee injury that needed an operation after he had failed to make the England Guinness Six Nations squad in the proceeding months, was suddenly back in vogue, getting chosen as the sole specialist No8 in a squad that jettisoned Alex Dombrandt, who wore the shirt in all six matches played so far under Borthwick.

It’s quite the seismic change in fortune for the 30-year-old Saracens back-rower, who also fell down the pecking order under Eddie Jones in 2021/22 before getting a summer tour reprieve in Australia when Dombrandt was unavailable through injury.

England World Cup kit

England World Cup kit

Even as recently as last month, Vunipola required a second procedure on his knee, but Borthwick has now decided that the 2019 Rugby World Cup final starter is his man to wear the No8 at the tournament in France.

There would also be no managerial concern there is no other out-and-out specialist No8 in the squad as the coach backed his flankers to fill in if and when needed in that role at the back of the scrum.

“Billy has been fantastic in these training camps,” insisted Borthwick. “We have had an opportunity to work with him and we have seen just how hard he has worked to come back from his injury. He looks in great shape, looks as fit as I have ever seen him. His experience will add to the squad.”

Having spent much of the pre-season as part of the in-camp rehab group, Vunipola could now play his first match in four months next Saturday versus Wales in London.

“Billy is a guy who wants to play rugby and wants to play a lot of minutes. We want him to play as much as he possibly can and he’s desperate to play as much as he possibly can. 

“Billy brings a certain skill set that is different to the skill sets of other players and that’s why I picked him. I’m very clear about how we need to play in this tournament and that’s ultimately why I made the decision to go with Billy. 

“He is a very mature player now. He has taken a very mature approach to his recovery, and has been very determined to be fit for this World Cup.” 

But what if Vunipola can’t play every game, what will happen then with no Dombrandt available to help out? “Alex has done really well and has trained well. He is a very, very good player,” Borthwick said, referencing the sudden absence of the Harlequins No8 who had been his England pick so far this year.

“There is a lot of competition in the back row and there is also flexibility around those positions. Lewis Ludlam has the ability to play six, seven and eight. Ben Earl has the ability to play seven and eight. (Tom) Curry seven, eight and six.

“There is a lot of flexibility there and for me, it’s about making the decision on the right combination and ultimately that is what it has come down to.”