Tokyo (AFP)
England's third center line Billy Vunipola, suffering a small sprained ankle, is walking normally but will have to pass new exams on Monday to see if he is fit to play Saturday against France, the coach said. the Neal Hatley fray in Tokyo.
Vunipola, replaced at the half-time match won Saturday against Argentina in the Japanese capital (39-10), synonymous with qualification of the XV of the Rose for the quarter-finals of the World Cup, has passed a scanner " as a precaution, "said Hatley. "He will continue his exams today and we will see what comes out tomorrow," he added.
"He's around, he walks, a big smile in his face, it's almost lunchtime so he's pretty happy," Hatley joked in reference to the N.8's big appetite.
Coach Eddie Jones tried Saturday night to dispel the concerns around the key player with a similar joke, saying Vunipola had "slipped on a piece of Kobe beef." Pressed by the questions, he finally admitted that the front had made a small sprain, hoping that it is not "too serious".
The English coach therefore tries to play down, but also to relativize, the injury of an essential ball carrier in his device, but often injured in recent years. "With what we have, with (the left pillars) Ellis Genge and Mako (Vunipola), Kyle Sinckler (right pillar), Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes (second line) ... they take over when it is necessary" said Hatley, pointing out that the injuries of the Vunipola brothers had allowed other players to emerge.
Jones asked the other forwards to wear the ball after Vunipola's exit against the Pumas, revealed hooker Jamie George. "When they (the scrum-half) have a choice between Bill and me, Willi (Heinz) will pass it to Billy, which is probably the right thing to do," said Heinz at his side.
But whether Vunipola "plays or not, we are all aware of having to make sure to get our hands on the ball and impose ourselves physically," concluded the hooker.
France and England meet on Saturday in Yokohama with the first place in Pool C. The winner will likely face Australia in the quarterfinals, with the prospect of a semi-final against New Zealand. The loser will be promised to the Welsh in quarters.
© 2019 AFP