Saracens issue Billy Vunipola injury update following knee scan

Saracens have allayed fears that the injury suffered by Billy Vunipola in the closing stages of their Gallagher Premiership win at Harlequins was serious. The soon-to-be 29-year-old (his birthday is on November 3) limped away from the pitch at The Stoop after he hurt his knee in the final minutes of his club's comeback win over the defending champions. 

Replays of the incident where he appeared to suffer a knee twist while making a tackle near the halfway line suggested some serious damage might potentially have been done. 

However, despite painfully walking off the pitch in discomfort, Saracens have now reported that the damage suffered by Vunipola wasn't serious.

A medial update issued on Tuesday by the London club read: "Billy Vunipola received a positive scan result following a knee injury sustained against Harlequins on Sunday. He suffered a minor ligament injury. However it is expected that he will return to action in late November."

Saracens have only more match to play - this Saturday against London Irish - before entering a three-week break until their November 28 game at home to Alex Sanderson's Sale.

It was September, prior to Vunipola being excluded by England, that Mark McCall told RugbyPass how enthusiastic he was about his No8 heading into the new season. “He has got the bit between his teeth. He is as fit as I have seen him in a long time. His leadership during the course of the pre-season with many other senior players not being here has been wonderful so we are looking forward to seeing him get stuck in."

England boss Eddie Jones didn't agree as he omitted Vunipola from the two national team squads he has selected since then and England exclusion was the reason why the out-of-favour forward was playing for Saracens last Sunday rather than preparing for the Autumn Nations Series that begins next Saturday at Twickenham versus Tonga.