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InternationalEngland

Confirmed - Billy Vunipola will miss Six Nations

Saracens and England’s Billy Vunipola

England look set to be without Billy Vunipola for the Six Nations after the Saracens number eight suffered a broken arm against the Ospreys on Saturday.

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The back-row only returned from a three-month spell on the sidelines with a knee injury in the Premiership victory against Wasps last weekend and suffered another cruel setback at the Liberty Stadium.

Vunipola was replaced at half-time in the Champions Cup clash, which ended 15-15, and Saracens on Sunday revealed that an X-ray showed Vunipola had fractured his forearm, just three weeks before England start the defence of their Six Nations title against Italy in Rome.

“Billy is due to see a specialist later this week, when a timeframe for recovery may be defined,” said a Saracens spokesman.

“But until that time Saracens will make no further comment. Saracens will issue a further statement once Billy has seen a specialist.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

J
JW 6 minutes ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

Yeah I predicted (out of thin air) it to be more like 30 points between them. You don't think it wasn't more like that because they picked jaded players?


Will have a look at the game now I guess.

3 Go to comments
J
JW 11 minutes ago
Lamb to the slaughter? Italy aim to 'get stuck into' All Blacks

Don't mind me lol I just thought it was funny that you saw the opportunity to show some good parochialism at the end of this article. I thought we were going to have an interesting Italian perspective on the game to read (which we could counter attack with our perspective etc), instead it was about an Englishmans perspective on the game/rugby (which I wasn't interested in replying to at all).


Oh, and I also should be always in that last sentence. Can't say I've even seen a 6N without a bunny team but it certainly wasn't Italy this year!

6 Go to comments
T
Tk 12 minutes ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

A messy season. New coaches, systems, philosophies it was always a start if something new. But I'm disappointed at how players who continue to not come up with the goods are retained and most if not all debuts were down to injuries rather than inspired selection. This season was the honeymoon, more has to be delivered next year.

3 Go to comments
J
JR 17 minutes ago
Wales player ratings vs South Africa | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

So Jac Morgan is the only player to receive a positive rating, the rest all graded negative scores out of 10. About sums it up perfectly!

1 Go to comments
T
Tk 18 minutes ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Apart from scrum a pretty poor performance I thought. Again more aimless kicking away possession from BB. We badly need new 10, 12 & 13.

7 Go to comments
J
JW 20 minutes ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Still looking confused you mean.

86 Go to comments
J
JW 21 minutes ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Head coach? I think your confusing the attacking coaches statements.

86 Go to comments
J
JW 23 minutes ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

From back when he was a defence coach.

86 Go to comments
S
SadersMan 24 minutes ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

I think Razor picked an ABs team to play the Italy team that beat both Scotland & Wales, drew with France, & were pipped by England, in the Six Nations in Feb/Mar this year. Because that's the way they brought it to us. Well done Azzuri, well done All Blacks.

3 Go to comments
J
JW 25 minutes ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Still haven't looked at those replays have you Nick.

86 Go to comments
J
JW 25 minutes ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

That was your slight actually Nick. Might want to look in the mirror!

86 Go to comments
J
JW 26 minutes ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Yes a very long bow for the other side to say that a player like Beauden Barrett turned those games around. A great player but not one to consciously 'turn' things around.

86 Go to comments
S
SadersMan 32 minutes ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

There was no 9.5 player out there, on either side. Jordan probably a 7.5/8. BB maybe a 7.5 but definitely didn't stand out to deserve even an 8 let alone 9.5.

7 Go to comments
S
SadersMan 39 minutes ago
All Blacks survive physical Italy scare after captain carded

"Survive"? "Scare?" A bit dramatic. ABs always going to win, just a matter of by how much.


The Azurri were up for it though. As expected. You can bet they were planning for this specific test for months. Let's not forget they were pipped by ENG, drew with FRA, & beat both SCO & WAL in the Six Nations in Feb/Mar this year.


A mess of a match, a good win, considering.

1 Go to comments
S
SadersMan 54 minutes ago
‘Right a few wrongs’: Ex-Wales flyer’s message of intent with Crusaders

After you. And yes, that's exactly what Penney should do. Stat!! Unfortunately he has one year left on his contract.


Penney's Super Rugby win record was a low 23% before we signed him on. At the top was Razor at 84%. And true to form, Penney took us from a 7-peat to not even making the play-offs in ONE season. No excuses. LOSER. Thank God his contract is up next year. And hopefully Rangi might wanna throw his hat in for the job.


In the meantime, hopefully we can crack the top 6 this year in spite of Penney!??!

6 Go to comments
J
JW 59 minutes ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

"exceptional as usual" haha I'll take that to mean he kicked how he 'usually' kicked?


Why was Dmac rated a 6, did he not actually do any better or did he come on at fb or something?

7 Go to comments
K
Kia koe 1 hour ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Italians defended well. Luckily the scrums went well for the ABs.

7 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
Five changes for the All Blacks, including the return of Sam Cane

You were 'valuing' the players by you saying "they are not greats" though, I was pointing out another reason why they are greats, inside the team I mean (which is more important to selections on the pitch stuff).


Someone like TJ would be bitterly disappointed he didn't play on this end of year tour. He is still good enough to come on in that France game and ensure the team get the victory (with regards to how well Ratima had been playing). At the very least this is a 'sorry you didn't get that chance' offering, he's not here to get token farewell games, he will be playing to try and prove that he should have been on the pitch last week.


The other decision to play your best over the future is really personal though so can agree with your reasoning. Just sharing a slightly different perspective. I'll have to check the ratings and see how they went.

38 Go to comments
J
Jen 1 hour ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Crikey that game was a mess.

7 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

Yep even if you're improving on already very good international players every little bit helps if you're at the top of this log jam of 'top 3' sides, if they are elite.

86 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Kazuki Himeno: ‘Eddie gave me a task - to be the world's best back-rower’ Kazuki Himeno: ‘Eddie gave me a task - to be the world's best back-rower’
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