John Mitchell says No 8 ‘very likely’ to start gameSquad train in front of new arrival, Ricky StuartEngland have insisted Billy Vunipola is “very likely” to start their
World Cup quarter-final against Australia on Saturday. Eddie Jones will make a final call on the No 8 after Wednesday session but his assistant John Mitchell expressed considerable confidence he would be available in what would be a major boost for England.
Vunipola suffered a twisted ankle 10 days ago in England’s pool-stage victory over
Argentina and he would not have been risked by Jones for the cancelled match against
France last weekend. On Saturday he was unable to take a full part in training, restricted to working alongside Jack Nowell, who was absent from Tuesday’s session and is unlikely to feature against the Wallabies.