England lose Mako for rest of Six Nations
EnGLAnd’S Six nations hopes took a hammer blow last night as it was revealed Mako Vunipola will miss the rest of the tournament with an ankle injury.
The star prop, 28, limped out of England’s 44- 8 victory over France and is now expected to be out for 10 weeks.
It is a terrible injury bulletin for Eddie Jones ahead of the crucial Wales match in Cardiff on Saturday week — he will now have to turn to either Ben Moon or Ellis Genge to cover the two-time Lion at loosehead.
Jones said: ‘It’s obviously very disappointing to lose Mako at this stage as he’s an important player for us, but it provides an opportunity for the team to grow.’
Jones gathers together a squad for a three-day camp in London today, but Sportsmail has learned that scrum-half dan robson has been released to play for Wasps.
He and Welsh flanker Thomas Young, who both made their Six nations debuts last weekend, will play on Friday in Wasps’ Gallagher Premiership fixture against Bristol. Bath hope to have Joe Cokanasiga back for their game against newcastle too.
Wales home-based players meet up today and Leigh Halfpenny has fully recovered from his concussion nightmares to join the camp. But Sportsmail understands that as the full-back has not played since being knocked out by Australian centre Samu Kerevi in november, Wales are highly unlikely to play him versus England, preferring a softly-softly approach.
Meanwhile, Wales no 8 Taulupe Faletau needs a second surgery on his broken right arm. He fractured his forearm for the second time in four months in January, missing the opening Championship rounds. But this is a new setback for the 28-year-old.