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Saracens' worst fears confirmed but Eddie Jones is given Vunipola hope
By Online Editors
Mako Vunipola will miss the climax to Saracens’ pursuit of the double after being ruled of the rest of the season by a significant hamstring injury.
Vunipola lasted just half an hour of the Champions Cup final victory over Leinster on Saturday before being forced off alongside fellow prop Titi Lamositele, who will also miss the Gallagher Premiership title push.
A date for Vunipola’s return has yet to be confirmed, but Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall insists the British and Irish Lions loosehead will be available for England’s World Cup campaign.
“Mako has a torn hamstring. We’re waiting to see exactly what happens with that, but I very much doubt he’ll play again this season. Nether will Titi,” McCall said.
“Mako won’t be out of the World Cup, but he’ll be out for a while. It’s quite a significant injury. It’s disappointing to lose two players of that quality and it makes us a little bit vulnerable.”
Vunipola, who is considered the game’s stand-out loosehead, missed a large chunk of the Six Nations with an ankle injury 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 England’s rout of France in mid-February.
Along with in-form tighthead Lamositele, he will miss the home play-off at Allianz Park on May 25 and the final a week later – if Saracens progress.
Both players were due to be rested as part of sweeping changes for the climax to the regular Premiership season at Worcester on Saturday.
McCall said most of the 23 from last weekend will not play, adding that he is confident Saracens have enough depth to cope with their props missing the remainder of the season.
“Juan Figallo is just coming back from injury, which is good timing,” he said. “We were really impressed with Richard Barrington and Vincent Koch did when they came on, and Christian Judge has had a really good season. So we’ve got some guys who are ready to step up.”
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Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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