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Vunipola one of three recalled back to England training squad

By PA
Billy Vunipola of England looks on prior to the Autumn International match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on November 26, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Billy Vunipola, Ollie Lawrence and Bevan Rodd have returned to England’s 40-man training squad which assembled at Pennyhill Park on Sunday.

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Saracens number eight Vunipola and Bath centre Lawrence are both working their way back from respective knee injuries, with the former undergoing surgery earlier this summer.

Sale prop Rodd has also rejoined the group at the Honda England Rugby Performance Centre, while Harlequins wing Cadan Murley and Gloucester prop Val Rapoava-Ruskin have been omitted.

Head coach Steve Borthwick is continuing preparations for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which starts in September.

England will play four warm-up matches next month, the first two against Wales, home and away, on August 5 and 12 respectively, then take on Six Nations champions Ireland in Dublin (August 19) and Fiji at Twickenham the following week (August 26).

Borthwick is due to announce his final World Cup squad on August 7, with England set to launch their World Cup campaign against Pool D rivals Argentina in Marseille on September 9.

Forwards: Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Theo Dan (Saracens), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Jamie George (Saracens), Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), George Martin (Leicester Tigers), Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints), David Ribbans (Toulon), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Jack Willis (Toulouse), Tom Willis (Saracens).

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Backs: Henry Arundell (Racing 92), Danny Care (Harlequins), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby), Max Malins (Bristol Bears), Joe Marchant (Stade Francais), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers), Anthony Watson (unattached), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

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Comments

1 Comment
R
RJ 713 days ago

Leaves out the most dynamic and inform prop and exciting winger... What a shocker, get ready for Sturgid England

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SteveD 2 hours ago
Springboks player ratings vs Italy | Castle Lager Incoming Series

“The Boks were on their way out in both quarters”?? Considering they scored three tries in the first half when Manie was on the field, and he converted two out of those three, but only scored one in the second half when Pollard was on the field, that he converted plus a penalty, I think you’re maybe thinking about the wrong match? And as far as I remember it wasn’t raining?


The English semifinal had pouring rain, and the play was in the forwards and Pollard did his job well kicking penalties although Manie did get one, too.


The final against the NZs was also forecast to be raining and so Pollard was presumably chosen for that reason and with a 7-1 split on the bench we have nothing to judge what would have happened if Manie had been there. I believe that he would have helped the Boks to a far bigger margin than they got but obviously Rassie had to make decisions based on what the forecast said.


But I’ll never convince you, will I. Have you ever played a lot in the rain and cold? Being a pom who played his best rugby in the Eastern Free State, I can tell you - and Jake White who refused to listen and has got the deserved boot - it makes a big difference and I fully agree that Pollard is good for that type of game, but when either Manie or Sacha get their chance to prove me right once again, hopefully next Saturday or whenever - especially RWC2027 in Oz but not in NZ in the so-called Rugby Championship in September - maybe we can talk again.

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