The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
England wait on Vunipola as Cipriani ends six-year wait
MAKO Vunipola faces a nervous 24-hour wait to discover whether he can play any part in England’s three-Test New Zealand tour.
England boss Stuart Lancaster confirmed the Saracens prop will receive the results of a scan on his knee today, shedding light on damage suffered in Saturday’s Heineken Cup final defeat toToulon.
Lancaster admitted Saracens believe fly-half Owen Farrell has more chance of making Saturday’sAviva Premiership final than loosehead propVunipola.
England’s head coach has refused to rule Dylan Hartley out of the New Zealand tour, despite the Northampton hooker still fighting to beat shoulder trouble in time for the Premiership final.
Lancaster named an initial 30-man squad to fly out to New Zealand today.
He selected seven uncapped players in the initial squad to take on the All Blacks, with Worcester full-back Chris Pennell chief among the new recruits.
Danny Cipriani is back in an England squad for the first time since 2008.
England’s Premiership finalists will miss the first Test, forcing Lancaster into selecting a two-tier squad.
The former Leeds coach will wait until June 2 to confirm which Saracens and Northampton stars will join the summer tour.
The uncapped cast list also includes Kieran Brookes and Joe Gray.