How Vunipola pulled off six-month attraction offensive to win World Cup spot
Saracens powerhouse No8 Vunipola’s long-term choice battle was full yesterday, when the 30-year-old was named in England’s 33-man squad for the fast-approaching world contest in France.
The Sydney-born loose-forward was missed for all the Six Nations, after which wanted knee surgical procedure in April.
Vunipola shook off his Six Nations disappointment by getting all the way down to exhausting graft at Saracens, working carefully with coaches like Ian Peel and Joe Shaw to hit again to his finest type.
And when his knee harm struck, Vunipola refused to surrender hope of a fast restoration – and now the 68-cap back-rower is off to his third World Cup.
Harlequins’ Alex Dombrandt has been the large loser in Vunipola’s reversal of fortunes, the 26-year-old omitted from England’s remaining World Cup squad yesterday.
Head coach Borthwick doesn’t see any threat in choosing only one specialist No8 in Vunipola, insisting that versatile back-rowers Lewis Ludlam, Ben Earl and Tom Curry can cowl the position as required.
Vunipola is closing in on full health and will but be obtainable for Saturday’s World Cup warm-up conflict in opposition to Wales at Twickenham, with Borthwick effusive in his reward of the back-row bulldozer.
“The diligence of seeing Billy in this recovery from injury, it has been very impressive,” stated Borthwick. “He’s a very mature player now. I think he’s taken a very mature approach to his recovery, and a very determined approach to be fit for this World Cup.
“Billy is a guy who wants to play rugby, and wants to play a lot of minutes.
“I’ve looked at the squad and worked with the players over the last eight weeks and got a clearer picture of what every player does and what every player brings, and what the blend of the squad needs.
“I am very clear about how we need to play against the opponents we will play in this tournament. And that’s ultimately why I made the decision to go with Billy.”
Henry Slade was the opposite huge omission from England’s World Cup ranks, the Exeter centre dropping out with Borthwick choosing energy and tempo over his inventive abilities.
Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence provide the bludgeon, Joe Marchant and Elliot Daly wield the rapier. But all 4 will likely be anticipated to assault the gainline, as England goal a direct gameplan.