Vunipola’s exclusion was ‘unnecessary’

Public Health England said England’s decision to exclude prop Mako Vunipola over coronavirus fears was “unnecessary” as Saracens confirmed he would start for them at loosehead today.

Vunipola was forced to drop out of the squad suddenly on Monday after the England management team found out he had been on a flight from Hong Kong, a hotspot for the disease.

Yesterday, however, PHE suggested it had been an overly cautious decision to omit him from contention for the Six Nations match against Wales.

“PHE current guidance on coronavirus is clear on when self-isolation is necessary,” it tweeted. “Earlier this week the RFU asked a player, having returned from travel overseas, to not attend the camp to avoid the risk of spread, which was not necessary as he was not displaying any symptoms. The RFU accept this and this clarification.”

Vunipola was initially named in a 34-man training set-up on Monday morning to face Wales, but dropped out hours before the squad were due to assemble at Pennyhill Park. The England management team stood him down, citing on Tuesday his flight home from Tonga – where he had visited with brother Billy for personal reasons – via Hong Kong and indicating he had been placed into self-isolation.

Saracens then revealed he had come into the club and trained with the first-team squad the same day.

Government guidelines state anyone who has been to Hong Kong and displayed symptoms should self-isolate for at least 14 days.

Vunipola will start against Leicester today, having not displayed symptoms of the disease.

Meanwhile, Vunipola’s Saracens’ team-mates Ben Earl and Max Malins have signed new contracts and will go on loan to Bristol.