EALING THEN ENGLAND!
Billy Vunipola’s unusual Six Nations warm-up
BILLY VUNIPOLA will aim to play his way into Test form against ealing today in front of eddie Jones, who will be at Vallis Way to watch the only rugby match in england this weekend.
Saracens’ giant No 8 will use the Trailfinders Challenge Cup to limber up for the Six Nations, which is due to start in three weeks’ time, when Scotland visit an empty Twickenham.
The younger Vunipola brother, 28, is the only one of Saracens’ england contingent who will be on duty in west London this afternoon — and he may also make an appearance at Doncaster in seven days’ time.
By then, Jones will have picked a 28- man squad for the annual championship — armed with an agreement that none of the chosen have players have to be released for club duties at any time in the tournament.
An initial week of training will take place at the FA base, St George’s Park in Burton- on-Trent, before england resume the bubble arrangements at the Lensbury hotel in Teddington, southwest London, which served them so well in the autumn.
As reported by Sportsmail last month, Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall and Jones had agreed a plan for Test captain Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and elliot Daly to have a ‘mini pre- season’ before the Six Nations. But there was one exception to that policy. ‘ In Billy’s case, we all agreed that he is better with game-time,’ said McCall. ‘ he gets a lot out of playing, so that is why he is. Billy was really keen to play.’ Saracens are learning to be adaptable after being relegated from the Premiership for salary cap offences. They are preparing for a two-conference Championship campaign culminating in a two-leg play- off final, but are also alert to the possibility of alternative formats under consideration to conclude the season, subject to Covid-related developments. McCall insisted that promotion would be ‘decided on the field’ and, at a time when relegation from the Premiership is sset to be scrappscrapped, he added: ‘It doesn’t have to be a 13- tteam ring-i fenced Premiership. ‘There’s no reason it can’t be more than that. There’s no reason to stop a club with ambition and resources coming into a competition with no relegation.’ his comments were made in relation to today’s opponents, ealing Trailfinders, backed by travel millionaire Mike Gooley, whose ground will be the centre of english rugby today after the cancellation of european matches. ‘It’s great to have the limelight on us,’ said director of rugby Ben Ward.