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Owen Farrell and Mako Vunipola add to Stuart Lancaster’s headaches Owen Farrell and Mako Vunipola add to Stuart Lancaster’s headaches
(about 5 hours later)
England are sweating over the fitness of Mako Vunipola, Owen Farrell, Dylan Hartley and Anthony Watson for their looming tour to New Zealand. Stuart Lancaster is due to fly out on Tuesday with two-thirds of his squad but the precise make-up of his full party remains worryingly subject to fitness-related questions.England are sweating over the fitness of Mako Vunipola, Owen Farrell, Dylan Hartley and Anthony Watson for their looming tour to New Zealand. Stuart Lancaster is due to fly out on Tuesday with two-thirds of his squad but the precise make-up of his full party remains worryingly subject to fitness-related questions.
Vunipola left the Millennium Stadium on crutches after damaging a knee in the Heineken Cup final between Saracens and Toulon, while Farrell also had to be substituted in the second half with an ankle problem. The Saracens management indicated he had incurred the injury tripping over television wiring on the pitch before kick-off in Cardiff.Vunipola left the Millennium Stadium on crutches after damaging a knee in the Heineken Cup final between Saracens and Toulon, while Farrell also had to be substituted in the second half with an ankle problem. The Saracens management indicated he had incurred the injury tripping over television wiring on the pitch before kick-off in Cardiff.
The 23-year-old Vunipola would seem to be struggling to make Saturday’s Premiership final against Northampton in addition to the tour; everyone involved at Twickenham already guaranteed to miss the first Test in Auckland. Farrell’s ankle injury will be assessed over the next 24 hours and, while it is not believed to be serious, it creates a further logistical headache. With Freddie Burns and Danny Cipriani due to fly to Auckland on Tuesday, Lancaster does not yet know whether Northampton’s Stephen Myler will be required to tour. In any event the management must wait until Saturday (or Sunday morning in New Zealand) for the latter’s availability to be confirmed. The 23-year-old Vunipola would seem to be struggling to make Saturday’s Premiership final against Northampton in addition to the tour; everyone involved at Twickenham is already guaranteed to miss the first Test in Auckland. Farrell’s ankle injury will be assessed over the next 24 hours and, while it is not believed to be serious, it creates a further logistical headache. With Freddie Burns and Danny Cipriani due to fly to Auckland on Tuesday, Lancaster does not yet know whether Northampton’s Stephen Myler will be required to tour. In any event the management must wait until Saturday (or Sunday morning in New Zealand) for the latter’s availability to be confirmed.
As a consequence, England may only be in a position to announce the 29 or so names flying out this week, as well as a squad to face the Barbarians on Sunday, rather than a full 43-man squad to tackle the All Blacks. With Hartley also yet to return from a shoulder injury, Watson having tweaked a hamstring in Bath’s Amlin Challenge Cup defeat to Northampton on Friday and George Ford requiring surgery on a recurring shoulder problem, there is no shortage of pre-tour uncertainty.As a consequence, England may only be in a position to announce the 29 or so names flying out this week, as well as a squad to face the Barbarians on Sunday, rather than a full 43-man squad to tackle the All Blacks. With Hartley also yet to return from a shoulder injury, Watson having tweaked a hamstring in Bath’s Amlin Challenge Cup defeat to Northampton on Friday and George Ford requiring surgery on a recurring shoulder problem, there is no shortage of pre-tour uncertainty.
Once again it underlines the absurdity of scheduling the first Test against the All Blacks just seven days after the end of the European club season. Watson’s injury could yet open up a potential recall for Northampton’s Ben Foden but again that depends on what unfolds this Saturday. As things stand, the only capped back-three specialists available for Eden Park are Mike Brown, Marland Yarde and Jonny May, all of whom seem certain to start. Either the Bath winger Semesa Rokoduguni or Wasps’ Tom Varndell must be extremely close to a tour call-up.Once again it underlines the absurdity of scheduling the first Test against the All Blacks just seven days after the end of the European club season. Watson’s injury could yet open up a potential recall for Northampton’s Ben Foden but again that depends on what unfolds this Saturday. As things stand, the only capped back-three specialists available for Eden Park are Mike Brown, Marland Yarde and Jonny May, all of whom seem certain to start. Either the Bath winger Semesa Rokoduguni or Wasps’ Tom Varndell must be extremely close to a tour call-up.
There are other holes that need filling, not least at hooker, where Harlequins’ Dave Ward is about to embark on his first senior tour. His club-mate Joe Marler will offer some familiarity at loosehead but Vunipola’s absence is likely to mean a key role off the bench for Wasps’ Matt Mullan.There are other holes that need filling, not least at hooker, where Harlequins’ Dave Ward is about to embark on his first senior tour. His club-mate Joe Marler will offer some familiarity at loosehead but Vunipola’s absence is likely to mean a key role off the bench for Wasps’ Matt Mullan.
Should a stomach bug sweep through an already jet-lagged squad, as has been the case on certain summer tours in the not-so-recent past, England’s strength in depth really will be examined.Should a stomach bug sweep through an already jet-lagged squad, as has been the case on certain summer tours in the not-so-recent past, England’s strength in depth really will be examined.
If Myler and Farrell were to be ruled out, for example, the next fly-half theoretically in line behind Cipriani and Burns is the young Exeter No10 Henry Slade, currently earmarked to start against the Barbarians. At this rate an emergency call to Toby Flood, about to join Toulouse from Leicester, may not be out of the question.If Myler and Farrell were to be ruled out, for example, the next fly-half theoretically in line behind Cipriani and Burns is the young Exeter No10 Henry Slade, currently earmarked to start against the Barbarians. At this rate an emergency call to Toby Flood, about to join Toulouse from Leicester, may not be out of the question.
Among those who can expect to be on a plane on Tuesday are James Haskell, fresh from Wasps’ fine win over Stade Français in Saturday’s European Rugby Champions Cup play-off second leg, and the Bath tighthead David Wilson who, to Lancaster’s huge relief, came through Friday night’s Amlin final unscathed.Among those who can expect to be on a plane on Tuesday are James Haskell, fresh from Wasps’ fine win over Stade Français in Saturday’s European Rugby Champions Cup play-off second leg, and the Bath tighthead David Wilson who, to Lancaster’s huge relief, came through Friday night’s Amlin final unscathed.
England are due to play three Tests on successive weekends, plus a midweek game against the Crusaders in Christchurch sandwiched between the second and third Tests.England are due to play three Tests on successive weekends, plus a midweek game against the Crusaders in Christchurch sandwiched between the second and third Tests.