SMASHED ARM KO’S VUNIPOLA
No.8 fractured his forearm against Ospreys on Saturday night.
An X-ray yesterday confirmed the break, condemning the 25-year-old to another extended period out of the game.
“One of these days I might actually be able to play more than 2 games without breaking (no pun intended),” Vunipola wrote on Instagram.
“I said it before and I’ll say it again, God has a plan for me, it’s just hard having to be patient!”
The Saracens star played only 12 games in 2017, hit by knee and shoulder injuries which ruled him out of the Lions tour and all but one of England’s 10 Tests.
His absence is a blow for England boss Eddie Jones, who has also lost Nathan Hughes (right) to injury for at least the first half of the championship.
Sam Simmonds and Zach Mercer appear next in line, but Simmonds only made his full debut in England’s last game and Mercer has yet to be capped.
“Billy is due to see a specialist this week, when a time frame for recovery may be defined,” said a Saracens spokesman.
Vunipola returned to action only a week ago after four months recovering from knee surgery.
His all-action display that day against Wasps was hailed as “extraordinary” by Sarries boss Mark McCall.
Vunipola had pledged not to change his ways. “For me, there is no point coming back and feeling your way around things,” he added. “If I’m going to get injured, I’m going to get injured.”