Billy’s back and on track for England
BILLY VUNIPOLA is expected to be fit for Saracens’ Aviva Premiership semi-final against Wasps on Saturday — which is good news for the club and England head coach Eddie Jones.
The 25-year- old No 8 missed the home league game against Gloucester 10 days ago after suffering a hamstring strain in training. It was the latest in a series of setbacks for the younger Vunipola brother, who missed the Six Nations after knee surgery, only to fracture a forearm on his return to action.
When Jones named Billy last Thursday in his squad to tour South Africa next month, he admitted to doubts about whether he would be fit to make the trip. But sources have indicated to
Sportsmail that Vunipola is progressing well and is likely to be ready for the play- off match against Wasps at Allianz Park.
Meanwhile, England summoned two reinforcements to their training camp in Brighton yesterday — uncapped Gloucester centre Henry Trinder, who has had a superb season after so many injury-blighted years, and Marland Yarde, the wing who has been revitalised by a move to Sale.
Two eye- catching transfers were announced yesterday, as Northampton confirmed Sportsmail’s exclusive story about the arrival of James Haskell, who has signed a one-year deal, while Gloucester officially revealed that Danny Cipriani will be joining them this summer. Haskell hopes to use his opportunity with the Saints to extend his Test career, after patiently waiting for the right deal to come along.
‘I love playing for England and when you are not involved you reassess your priorities,’ the flanker told rugbypass. ‘Mine is to fight for an England place and I will have to play well for Saints once I have fought my way into a squad that has a lot of quality players.’
Northampton flanker Jamie Gibson and Exeter back-rower Don Armand — both omitted from England’s tour squad — have been included in a fiveman shortlist for the Premiership Player of the Year award, along with Cipriani, Sale scrum-half Faf de klerk and Newcastle wing Vereniki Goneva.