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It's finally thumbs up for Mako Vunipola at the RWC, with outlook also good for Jack Nowell

Fit-again Mako Vunipola is now all set to take part in England's World Cup along with Jack Nowell (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

England expect to enter the critical phase of their World Cup group campaign with an entirely fit squad after Mako Vunipola and Jack Nowell played a full part in training on Friday. But they could lose a player for disciplinary reasons after Piers Francis was cited for a shoulder-led challenge to the head of Will Hooley in the 45-7 victory over the United States at Kobe Misaki Stadium.

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If the citing is upheld, Francis is facing a ban in the region of six weeks minus any reduction for mitigating circumstances, potentially ending his involvement in Japan 2019. With Eddie Jones now turning to his strongest starting XV for every match, however, the Northampton centre’s involvement was likely to be minimal from this stage of tournament anyway.

After sweeping aside Tonga and the USA during the four-day turnaround that opened Pool C, Eddie Jones’ men face clashes with Argentina and France that will determine whether they progress into the knockout stage.

Vunipola and Nowell have yet to play a part in Japan 2019 due to respective hamstring and knee injuries but they should be in contention for the Tokyo Stadium clash on Saturday week. “We trained early this morning (Friday) and Mako and Jack are good. At this stage we believe everyone will be available against Argentina,” attack coach Scott Wisemantel said.

Vunipola has become the sport’s foremost loosehead prop but Wisemantel insists he can not expect to walk straight back into the starting front row due to the form of Joe Marler and Ellis Genge. “Mako gives us something with his ball carrying and energy around the park,” said Wisemantel.

(Continue reading below…)

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“But the way the boys are going, he’s going to find it hard to get back into the team selection-wise. Joe and Ellis are doing a good job.”

Nowell was unable to play a single minute of the warm-up series because of the injury sustained in last season’s Gallagher Premiership final but his impact off the bench and ability to cover multiple positions makes him invaluable to England. “Jack adds something different. He is a hybrid really – a winger cum back rower, the way he plays,” Wisemantel said.

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Wing Jonny May welcomes the imminent return of two key assets in England’s quest to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy on November 2. “You want your best players fit and they trained well this morning. Mako is a world class prop so to have him back is brilliant,” May said.

“Jack is world class as well, so to get two players of that standard, raising the standard of everyone around them, is brilliant at this stage of the World Cup.”

Owen Farrell was given a clean bill of health the morning after he was flattened by USA flanker John Quill, who was shown the first red card of the tournament as a result.

 

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Farrell was struck on the chin by Quill’s shoulder-led challenge in the 70th minute of England’s victory at Kobe Misaki Stadium but has shown no adverse effects. “Owen is fine, he still has his looks,” Wisemantel said.

In the same match, Francis launched himself at Hooley in the opening seconds in a challenge that was missed by the officials, but replays indicated there was contact with full-back’s head. On the basis of the outcome of citings for similar offences already at this World Cup, the Saints playmaker would be looking a mid-range sanction of a six week suspension reduced to three.

– Press Association 

WATCH: Reece Hodge’s disciplinary hearing excuse doesn’t wash with fans

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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