Billy Vunipola is increasingly unlikely to be fit to play against France in this weekend’s Pool C showdown, with the forward unable to train outside with the bulk of the England squad on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old underwent a scan on Monday after injuring his ankle in Saturday’s 39-10 victory over Argentina, which booked England’s place in the quarter-finals with a pool game to spare.
#RWC2019– DAY 19 – Think I’ve just walked past Billy Vunipola. He had his leg in a space boot!!! 😱😞 pic.twitter.com/EFwFtmnnZp
— Robert Trembath (@irontrems) October 7, 2019
“We are being overly cautious and if there is any risk that Billy is not going to be 100% we will rest him,” said England’s attack coach Scott Wisemantel.
Despite scrum coach Neal Hatley playing down the injury, Vunipola appeared in a protective boot at the team hotel, raising fears the injury could be worse than feared.