Rugby Union Today: Mako Vunipola blow hits England

Adam Kyriacou
Add as a preferred source on Google

Another busy day in the rugby union game as injury rules Mako Vunipola out of the Six Nations while our analyst Sam Larner rips into France’s recent showing against England at Twickenham.

What’s on the site

England prop Vunipola has been sidelined for 10 weeks with an ankle injury while there’s also bad news for Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau as he requires further surgery on his right arm.

Meanwhile, Larner looks at how poor France were over the weekend, in particular their back three who struggled massively.

In Super Rugby we continue our build-up with a feature on seven returning stalwarts while the Lions have named their team.

What’s in the news

Cushioning the Faletau setback for Wales is the news that full-back Leigh Halfpenny has been declared fit to return to action.

Gloucester scrum-half Callum Braley is a surprise call-up to Italy’s squad that is preparing to take on Ireland next weekend.

What’s on social media

The Barbarians are set to face England in a double-header at Twickenham on June 2, which should be a fantastic occasion.

What’s on TV

The Six Nations takes a break this weekend, which means domestic action returns in Europe with BT Sport showing Gloucester v Exeter, Saracens v Leicester and Bristol v Wasps in the Premiership.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports will broadcast Clermont’s encounter with Bordeaux and Racing’s game against Toulouse, but it is the start of Super Rugby which takes precedence on that channel, starting with the Chiefs hosting the Highlanders.

Finally, the PRO14 gets going once again and Premier Sports have all seven matches, with Ospreys v Ulster the standout contest.

News