Billy Vunipola starts for England as Steve Borthwick names side to play Wales

10 August 2023 , 11:01

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Vunipola is "in great shape and the fittest I’ve ever seen him", according to Steve Borthwick (Image: PA)

Billy Vunipola has been passed fit to return to England duty and play his first game of rugby for four months.

The Saracens number eight is included in a near full-strength team which will attempt to end a three-game losing streak on Saturday against Wales.

The Twickenham clash comes a week after Warren Gatland’s Dragons beat Steve Borthwick’s men 20-9 in Cardiff.

Vunipola, the only specialist number eight in England’s World Cup squad, has undergone two surgeries since damaging his knee playing at La Rochelle in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup.

He returns to a back row featuring club mate Ben Earl, who wins his first start after 15 previous appearances as a replacement dating back three years.

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Vice-captain Courtney Lawes completes the back row trio, having missed the entire Six Nations campaign through injury. It will be his first outing of the Borthwick era.

Ellis Genge, who captained his country at the Principality Stadium a week ago, wins his 50th cap off the bench. Owen Farrell reclaims the armband.

“We’re delighted for Ellis,” said the head coach. “He’s a brilliant professional, both on and off the field, and I’m sure Saturday will be a very proud moment for him and his family.”

Vunipola receives attention after injuring his knee playing against La Rochelle in April (Getty Images)

There is no place in the 23 for fellow prop Kyle Sinckler, though he is not injured. Jonny Hill, omitted from the World Cup squad, is retained on the bench in the absence of both Ollie Chessum and David Ribbans.

Borthwick said: “Jonny has trained with us throughout the week, and I am pleased to be able to name him in the match day 23. I have no doubt he will provide a big impact for us off the bench.”

England

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps)

14. Henry Arundell (Racing 92, 7 caps)

13. Joe Marchant (Stade Francais, 16 caps)

12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)

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11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 57 caps)

10. Owen Farrell © (Saracens, 106 caps)

9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 13 caps)

1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 79 caps)

2. Jamie George (Saracens, 77 caps)

3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 26 caps)

4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 67 caps)

5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)

6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 97 caps)

7. Ben Earl (Saracens, 15 caps)

8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 68 caps)

Ellis Genge, pictured talking to boss Borthwick, will win his 50th cap off the bench

Replacements:

16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 1 cap)

17. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 49 caps)

18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 100 caps)

19. Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks, 20 caps)

20. Jack Willis (Toulouse, 10 caps)

21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 122 caps)

22. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 82 caps)

23. Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 19 caps)

Alex Spink