RUGBY UNION
Billy Vunipola faces race to prove fitness for England’s World Cup squad
Vunipola made an impact during last summer’s tour of Australia, which England won 2-1, but he was later omitted by Borthwick for the Six Nations
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Billy Vunipola will need a show of faith from Steve Borthwick if he is to make England’s World Cup squad.
The England head coach is due to finalise his 33-man selection on August 7, two days after the first of four warm-up matches.
Vunipola is not expected to be in full training until mid-August after undergoing surgery on the knee injury he sustained against La Rochelle last month.
Borthwick is expected to give Vunipola every chance to prove his fitness because England do not have another No 8 who can match him for power.
Saracens are confident the 30-year-old, who has 68 caps, will be fit to play in the tournament, which starts for England with a game against Argentina on September 9.
“He’ll be
