26 June 2023 , 08:16
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England insist Billy Vunipola remains on course for the Rugby World Cup despite undergoing further knee surgery.
The Saracens star has not played since damaging knee ligaments in April and a fortnight ago head coach Steve Borthwick spoke confidently about the number eight playing a full part in England’s warm-up matches in August.
But as the squad embarks today on its third of three mini camps prior to the announcement next week of the official tournament training squad, England have admitted Borthwick went back under the knife last Friday.
Describing it as a “minor surgical procedure on his injured knee”, an England spokesperson said the 30-year old would continue his rehabilitation, “aiming” to be available for World Cup selection in August.
Vunipola added: “The medical team are positive about my prospects, and I understand exactly what needs to be done over the next few weeks.”
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The need for Vunipola is all the greater for the decision of fellow number eight Sam Simmonds to make himself unavailable for selection ahead of his move from Exeter to French club Montpellier.
Bath prop Beno Obano and new Harlequins signing Will Joseph are missing from a squad yet to include players from Premiership finalists Saracens and Sale.
Borthwick declared himself pleased with progress since the summer programme started on June 12 but admitted: “There’s still a long way to go until we are ready for a World Cup.”
Flashback to La Rochelle: Vunipola is stretchered off with knee ligament damage in Saracens' Champions Cup quarter-final defeat (Getty Images)36-player training squad:
Forwards (19)
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)
Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby)
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Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers)
Ted Hill (Bath Rugby)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
George Martin (Leicester Tigers)
Zach Mercer (Montpellier Hérault Rugby)
Tom Pearson (London Irish)
Val Rapava-Ruskin (Gloucester Rugby)
David Ribbans (Northampton Saints)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)
Backs (17)
Henry Arundell (London Irish)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby)
Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
Cadan Murley (Harlequins)
Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)
Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)