Vunipola ruled out of Wallabies Test

Sun, Nov 27, 2016, 11:24 PM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman

Billy Vunipola is in danger of missing the 2017 Six Nations and will play no part in this weekend's Australia vs England Test, ruled out with injury.

Vunipola injured his knee in England's 27-14 win over Argentina and was officially ruled out of the side's squad ahead of their clash with the Wallabies this weekend.

The 24-year-old was a destructive force for England in June and is the latest in a long list of players from that series who have been felled with injury.

Jack Clifford will come into the England squad for the Wallabies Test. Photo: Getty Images“Billy’s been absolutely fantastic for England over the last 11 months and we wish him a quick recovery,” said England head coach Eddie Jones.

“He’s a very influential player in the set-up and there’s no doubt he’ll be missed for the game against Australia.

“But where there is an injury there’s an opportunity for someone else. We’ve had five or six front line players missing throughout the series so I’ve no doubt we’ll adapt and work that little bit harder this week. I’m sure the players will respond to this by going up a level and peak for this game.”

Harlequins backrower Jack Clifford joins the squad ahead of the clash, but his availability is unclear after suffering a head knock in the Premiership last weekend.

England squad

Forwards (19)

Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby)

Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks) 

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)

Jack Clifford (Harlequins)

Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)

Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)

Jamie George (Saracens)

Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints)

Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)

Nathan Hughes (Wasps)

George Kruis (Saracens)

Joe Launchbury (Wasps)

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)

Joe Marler (Harlequins)

Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)

Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)

Tommy Taylor (Wasps)

Mako Vunipola (Saracens)

Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

Backs (14)

Mike Brown (Harlequins)

Danny Care (Harlequins)

Owen Farrell (Saracens)

George Ford (Bath Rugby)

Alex Goode (Saracens)

Mike Haley (Sale Sharks)

Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)

Alex Lozowski (Saracens)

Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)

Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby)

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)

Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors)

Marland Yarde (Harlequins)

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

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