- Billy Vunipola’s Potential Role in Rugby World Cup
- Uncertainty in England’s Back-Row Selection
- Updates on England’s World Cup Preparation
Steve Borthwick has made it plain that Saracens No. 8 Billy Vunipola could play a pivotal role in this year’s Rugby World Cup. Vunipola is expected to return to England’s Rugby World Cup squad quickly.
In January, the head coach omitted Vunipola from his initial Six Nations squad. But he now appears to view the 30-year-old as a vital element in his squad plans.
Vunipola is still recovering from the knee injury that prematurely ended his season in April, but Borthwick anticipates that he will be able to play in August when England has four pre-tournament warm-up games.
“He is certainly a part of our plans,” said Borthwick. He has been a key player for England for numerous seasons, and I think he can continue.
England’s back-row pecking order is far from resolved, as Exeter’s Sam Simmonds withdrew from the World Cup due to family obligations before his summer transfer to Montpellier. It leaves Vunipola, Alex Dombrandt, the returning Zach Mercer, and possibly Bordeaux’s Tom Willis vying for position as Borthwick and his assistant coaches search for the optimal France lineup.
The head coach will also hear if Exeter hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie is fit for the World Cup this week.
Cowan-Dickie’s scheduled transfer to Montpellier has fallen through, but he will undergo additional testing in the coming days to determine whether the nerve damage in his neck has healed sufficiently for him to resume full-contact training.
Borthwick acknowledged that there was “a high level of anxiety” among England’s London Irish contingent following the Exiles’ administration collapse last week. And Borthwick has been favorably surprised by the fitness of those in camp in Bagshot this week, having stated in March that his players were not sufficiently fit.
Borthwick, who still lacks a slew of established players who participated in the Premiership finals, remarked, “I’ve been incredibly impressed with our form.” “This indicates that we have a very ambitious group of young men on hand.”
“I have told the athletes that if they are in camp, they must seize their opportunities. I’m always looking for the 33 players we’ll take to France and the next teammate.
“We have many talented athletes… I find it exciting to consider what the team could conceivably accomplish in France. The longer I spend with the athletes, the more excited I become.”
Instead of two pools of 12 teams, the 2023-24 Champions Cup group stages will have four groups of six teams. Each club will compete in four pool-stage matches against four clubs from distinct domestic leagues.
Florian Grill became FFR president three months before France hosts the men’s World Cup. The 57-year-old will replace Bernard Laporte, whom a French court found guilty of corruption allegations in December.
