MAKO THE MOST OF THIS CHANCE, SAYS PROP

MAKO VUNIPOLA has urged England’s rugby players to seize their World Cup opportunity as it might be the only one they get.

Vunipola (right) is fit to play again more than three months after tearing his hamstring off the bone in the European Cup final and hopes to start against Ireland on Saturday. The prop says his latest injury setback was a reminder that a career in rugby can be ended at any time.

“When I played in the last World Cup I was at an age when you think you have loads more World Cups coming round,” he said. “Now

I’m 28, have a few more injuries under my belt and what I’ve learned is, take nothing for granted. It can all be taken away at any minute,” he added, citing the example of his cousin Taulupe Faletau, who misses the World Cup through injury.” Henry Slade, Jack Nowell, Ruaridh McConnochie and Lewis Ludlam miss the Ireland game but Tom Curry and Sam Underhill are fit and Mark Wilson could be too.

England coach Scott Wisemantel says they have received no complaints from the players’ union after former Wasps star Kearnan Myall claimed “several” of the current squad “dread” going into camp.

Wisemantel responded: “I know the programme Eddie runs is intense but it’s wellstructured. There has never been a complaint.”