Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola has undergone a reported ‘minor knee surgery’, and is participating in rehabilitation at the England training camp.
Vunipola had the operation on Friday, in what he described as a “minor surgical procedure on his injured knee.” Vunipola said; “The medical team are positive about my prospects, and I understand exactly what needs to be done over the next few weeks.”
The 30-year-old suffered damage to his knee ligaments, whilst playing for Saracens in their Champions Cup semi-final defeat to La Rochelle in April. Vunipola missed out on the remainder of the 2022/23 season with Sarries, as the North London club went on to be crowned Premiership champions.
England Head Coach Steve Borthwick had previously called Billy Vunipola up into his squad, with the British & Irish Lion presenting a notable absentee throughout the 2023 Six Nations. However, an injured Vunipola was called into the squad admist the hopes of a return before the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Borthwick’s back-row ranks were noticeably weakened in recent weeks, firstly by an untimely injury to Sale Sharks captain Ben Curry. This was followed up by the shocking self-withdrawal of Sam Simmonds out of the England squad, as the soon-to-be Montpellier player prepares for his move to the Top 14.
Borthwick is pleased by Vunipola’s progress, some 75 days before England kick off the 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign, with a Pool D clash against Argentina in Marseille. “There’s still a long way to go until we are ready for a World Cup.” Borthwick said.
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15 more players set to join England Rugby World Cup squad
#1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
#2. Jamie George (Saracens)
#3. Theo Dan (Saracens)
#4. Hugh Tizard (Saracens)
#5. Maro Itoje (Saracens)
