After Eddie Jones recalled a strong Saracen for next month’s Australian tour, England turned to Billy Vunipola as a solution to the eighth-place crisis.
The injuries of Alex Donbrandt and Sam Simmonds allowed Vunipola to compete internationally for the first time since last year’s Six Nations.
The 29-year-old didn’t show up for England until Jones nominated his 36 touring party to face Wallaby in three tests starting in Perth this Saturday.
Our team touring Australia 🌹@ O2 | #WearTheRose
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 20, 2022
Vunipola was knocked out by Leicester at the end of Saturday’s final defeat at the Premiership Rugby, suggesting that Jones couldn’t take the tour the next day due to a head injury. He competes with Tom Curry for the 8th jersey.
Joe Marler and Ben Youngs are notable absentees from the group leaving for Australia on Tuesday, but veteran scrum-half Danny Care is approaching his first cap since 2018. ..
Henry Alandel, a 19-year-old sensation in London Irish, is included after missing a Sunday rout by barbarians due to muscle tension, but he is called an “apprentice player.”
“We chose a very strong team that could win the series, even though 10 players were unavailable due to injury,” said Jones Head Coach.
“This team is a real combination of young and talented players and highly experienced senior players and we look forward to putting the group together.
“This tour is a great experience for the group and will be an important part of the team’s work towards the 2023 World Cup. We will continue to develop the team’s foundation and how to play.
“I’ve spent a lot of work preparing for the tour in the last few weeks, but when I finally fly to Australia, it’s really hard work.”
