Blow for England with Billy Vunipola to miss remaining Six Nations matches
Number eight suffered sprained ankle against Ireland
England’s Billy Vunipola will miss the final two matches of this season’s Six Nations, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has announced.
The 21-year-old number eight suffered a sprained right ankle that forced him off before half-time during England’s 13-10 win over Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday, with Ben Morgan coming off the bench for the rest of the match.
Vunipola had a scan on Monday which, the RFU said, revealed ligament damage that will make him unavailable for England’s remaining matches at home to two-time defending champions Wales on March 9 and away to Italy on March 15.
“It’s a blow as Billy has had a good Six Nations but he is young and he will be back,” said England coach Stuart Lancaster.
“The encouraging thing is we have got Ben Morgan and other back rows such as Matt Kvesic and Tom Johnson who are all competing for places.”
Saracens and England medical staff will now work on a recovery plan for the eight-times capped Vunipola.