Vunipola blow for England and Saracens

The chances of Billy Vunipola featuring at the Rugby World Cup for England have taken a major blow after the No.8 was stretchered off during Saracens' Heineken Champions Cup defeat to La Rochelle.

Vunipola appeared to twist his knee in a carry and was removed by medics at the Stade Marcel Deflandre in Bordeaux this afternoon.

Although the extent of his injury is not yet known, an injury layoff this close to the World Cup in France is far from ideal as the 30-year-old bids to break back into the England team.

The 130kg No.8's injury came as a huge concern for the Saracens' director of rugby, Mark McCall. "I’ve never seen Billy come off on a stretcher. He’s on crutches and he’ll need a scan when we get home. We have five weeks before a home semi-final in the Premiership, and I am glad we have that luxury."

Vunipola has been on the fringes of Steve Borthwick's England team, with the head coach preferring Harlequins' Alex Dombrandt. However, many have questioned Dombrandt's form at the Test level during the Guinness Six Nations and suggested a return to Vunipola should be on the cards. The loose forward was a key player in the last World Cup in Japan and many believe his physicality has been missed by England.

Vunipola's experience and ball-carrying ability make him an obvious selection fallback for Borthwick, even if rumours of a personal rift between the pair have played a part in his omission. There's no denying he's been a consistent performer for England over the years, and he offers a physical presence that can't be matched by any other forward in the current England setup.

Closer to home, Vunipola's injury will also be an obvious cause of concern for Saracens, who will be turning their attention to lifting the Gallagher Premiership for the first time since 2019.