Billy Is Off Again And Doubtful For Autumn Test Series
BILLY Vunipola’s participation in the autumn series appears to be in serious jeopardy with the England No.8 hobbling off after wrenching his knee just before half-time in a match made more lop-sided than it might have been because Sale butchered two tries after the interval.
Saracens rugby director Mark McCall confirmed after the game that Vunipola had been taken to hospital for a scan.
England coach Eddie Jones will echo McCall’s sentiment that “we’re praying it’s not as bad as it looks”, because Vunipola was starting to get back into his formidable stride before the knee twist.
He made a tidy contribution to a 17-3 Saracens lead at the break, helping to set up Ben Spencer’s sniping run for the line after just three minutes.
With Spencer then putting Liam Williams over on the blindside of a lineout drive, and Owen Farrell converting both tries, Saracens had a 14-0 lead before ten minutes was up. The first-half scoring was completed by a penalty exchange between Faf de Klerk -- who was moved to fly-half with AJ McGinty taken ill before the match and the unerringly accurate Farrell.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
