England prop praying

TOKYO: England prop Mako Vunipola said he is praying for those affected by Typhoon Hagibis — including members of his own family — as England continues its World Cup preparations in Miyazaki, around 870km to the southwest of Tokyo.

Twentythree people have been killed and more are missing after the most powerful typhoon to hit Japan in decades hammered the Tokyo area on Saturday, causing widespread flooding and leaving almost half a million homes without power.

England had been due to play France in Yokohama on Saturday night but the game was cancelled as the serious threat posed by the huge storm became apparent.

To avoid it the squad decamped for a ‘‘beef and beer’’ break at the holiday resort where they had their pretournament training camp and well away from the Typhoon’s path. From there they will have a threehour coach trio to Oita today, where they will continue the buildup to their quarterfinal in a week’s time — likely to be against Australia.

After a fullon training session on Saturday, Vunipola said: ‘‘It’s worrying, but we’re lucky; we’re pretty sheltered from a lot of that.

‘‘I didn’t realise how big or how bad the typhoon was going to be until we got told the news.

‘‘Obviously you’re focused on rugby but you know it’s not the beall and endall.’’

Vunipola’s father Fe’ao, a former captain of Tonga, was in Tokyo for the France game, along with other members of his extended family.

‘‘You worry for people’s safety in typhoons and you hope and pray that nothing serious does happen,’’ Vunipola said.

Vunipola is in the running for his first start of the tournament as he battles back to fitness from a serious hamstring injury sustained in May. — Reuters