Saracens’ chances of winning a first Premiership title since 2019 were dealt a blow when Billy Vunipola was carried off on a stretcher during their European quarter-final loss at La Rochelle.
Saracens’ director of rugby, Mark McCall, expressed his concern after the game about the knee injury sustained by his starting No 8, which could be a significant setback as they look to improve on last season’s Premiership final loss.
“It was his knee,” said director of rugby, Mark McCall, who was speaking to The Telegraph.
“I’ve never seen Billy carried off before.
“He’s on crutches. It doesn’t look great. It’s a huge worry. We’ll know more about it early next week.”
The injury – if as serious as feared – will do nothing to Vunipola’s hopes of regaining his place in Steve Borthwick’s England squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, after he was blacklisted during the 2023 Six Nations.
Three England players who are blacklisted by Steve Borthwick – and why
Steve Borthwick has been brutal In his short time in charge of England, dropping a number of major stars ahead of the 2023 Six Nations.
Below, we look at three established stars who are unlikely to win another cap.
#1. Joe Marler
Age: 32
Position: Loosehead-prop
Caps: 83
Marler is unlikely to return to the England team during the 2023 Six Nations after he breached one of Steve Borthwick’s main rules.
The new England boss has a “no sh**talking policy” with England, whereby he expects players to behave appropriately on the pitch.
As a result, Marler was left out of the Six Nations squad despite his fine form with Harlequins this season.
Marler’s latest ban was for six weeks – four of them suspended – after accepting a charge regarding comments made to Bristol flanker Jake Heenan about his mother.
At this stage, an international return looks very unlikely.
DID YOU KNOW? Marler started his career at Haywards Heath RFC in Sussex where he played in the same side as fellow England international Billy Twelvetrees
