The 2017 Autumn Internationals 'absent XV': Billy Vunipola, France's best player and the Lions captain

Wednesday, 15 November 2017 at 16:34

bySteven Smith

As the Autumn Internationals get into full swing, an ill-fortuned group of key players must come to terms with the prospect of watching their team-mates from the sidelines.

From England’s Billy Vunipola brothers to France’s Camille Lopez and Wesley Fofana, with each country suffering from their own share of injuries and absentees.

In light of this, here we propose our own Autumn Internationals ’ ‘absent XV’:

Fullback: Israel Folau - Australia

Folau, who has chalked up 62 Tests since his debut in 2013, has decided to take a hiatus. The 28-year-old will miss the Wallabies entire end of season tour to Japan and Europe in a bid to freshen up his body for the 2018 and 2019 seasons leading into the World Cup.

Wing: Jack Nowell - England

Exeter Chiefs winger Jack Nowell misses England's autumn internationals after fracturing his cheekbone against Newcastle Falcons. The 24-year-old underwent surgery shortly after suffering the fracture, but a bleed was discovered under the metal plate inserted under his eye, meaning a second operation was required. Director of rugby Rob Baxter has been reluctant to set a return date.

Centre: Jonathan Davies - Wales

The Wales centre is set to be sidelined for around six months after suffering a foot injury in their Autumn opener against the Wallabies. The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) said “it is envisaged that recovery will be in the region of six months,” while also confirming that 65 times-capped Davies requires surgery.

Centre: Wesley Fofana - France

The talented centre hasn't played for France this year due to a number of injury problems and will miss the Autumn Internationals.

Winger: George North - Wales

The speedster will miss Wales' entire autumn series after sustaining a knee injury in Northampton's Champions Cup defeat by Saracens on October 17th. The injury will keep him out for a minimum of six weeks.

Fly-half: Camille Lopez - France

French fly-half Camille Lopez suffered a sickening leg break during Clermont Auvergne’s televised win against Northampton on October 23rd — prompting an apology from BT Sport after they showed several repeats of the incident in which Lopez’s leg effectively snapped under a challenge.

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Scrum-half: Greig Laidlaw - Scotland

Clermont confirmed the Scotland captain had sustained a broken fibula on October 16th and will be out for up to three months. He sustained the injury in Clermont’s Champions Cup win against the Ospreys and further examination has revealed he will be out until well into 2018.

Prop: Allan Dell - Scotland

The Edinburgh prop was ruled out of the autumn Test series after suffering a groin injury in late October.

Hooker: Dane Coles - New Zealand

Started in their opening Autumn international but has now been ruled out for six months after suffering a serious knee injury against France. The hooker ruptured his Anterior Cruciate Ligament.

Prop: WP Nel - Scotland

Like Coles, the Scotland prop started the blues first Autumn International but has now been ruled out after breaking his arm against Samoa at Murrayfield. Tight-head Nel, who missed most of last season with neck problems, departed in the 32nd minute against Samoa, with Glasgow's Zander Fagerson taking over.

Lock: Brodie Retallick - New Zealand

The world-class lock will not be on their European tour due to personal reasons.

Lock: Richie Gray - Scotland

The giant lock missed the Scots summer tour and will now miss the entire Autumn Internationals after undergoing back surgery in August.

Flanker: Ross Moriarty - Wales

Ross Moriarty has suffered a fresh back injury in training with Gloucester earlier this week. The 23-year-old has played once, on 4 November against Leicester, since injury forced him out of the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in July. He'll now miss the entire Autumn Internationals.

Flanker: Sam Warburton - Wales

The Lions skipper has not played since July when he led the British and Irish Lions to a drawn series against New Zealand, and had neck surgery in September. The 29-year-old says he does not yet have a return-to-play date.

Number 8: Billy Vunipola - England

England and Saracens were left with a gaping hole to fill after confirmation that Billy Vunipola will be out for four months following knee surgery in September. The No8 had an operation to repair the meniscus on his right knee and now faces a race to be fit for the start of the Six Nations in February.