Billy Is Off Again And Doubtful For Autumn Test Series

Billy Is Off Again And Doubtful For Autumn Test Series

- Nick Cain

BILLY Vunipola’s participation in the autumn series appears to be in serious jeopardy with the England No.8 hobbling off after wrenching his knee just before half-time in a match made more lop-sided than it might have been because Sale butchered two tries after the interval.

Saracens rugby director Mark McCall confirmed after the game that Vunipola had been taken to hospital for a scan.

England coach Eddie Jones will echo McCall’s sentiment that “we’re praying it’s not as bad as it looks”, because Vunipola was starting to get back into his formidable stride before the knee twist.

He made a tidy contribution to a 17-3 Saracens lead at the break, helping to set up Ben Spencer’s sniping run for the line after just three minutes.

With Spencer then putting Liam Williams over on the blindside of a lineout drive, and Owen Farrell converting both tries, Saracens had a 14-0 lead before ten minutes was up. The first-half scoring was completed by a penalty exchange between Faf de Klerk -- who was moved to fly-half with AJ McGinty taken ill before the match and the unerringly accurate Farrell.