Billy Vunipola’s Rugby World Cup hopes have been given the kiss of life by England boss Steve Borthwick.
Two days after Sam Simmonds’ shock decision to make himself unavailable, Borthwick revealed that Vunipola, Simmonds’ long-time rival for the No.8 shirt, is back in favour.
The Saracens star has played no part in England’s plans since Eddie Jones was sacked but Borthwick insisted: “He's certainly part of our plans as we go forward.”
This change of heart comes with Vunipola recovering from knee surgery and follows former England star Andy Goode claiming on a podcast that the 30-year-old’s exclusion is because he and the boss “had a fallout” and “from what I hear and understand it’s personal”.
Borthwick gave no indication of that as he took charge of the first of England’s three mini camps ahead of selection for the World Cup training squad on June 30.
“Billy’s come in and we’re delighted to have him, Ollie Chessum and Luke Cowan-Dickie here in camp with us as they continue their rehabilitation,” he said.
“Billy is doing really well. I have been impressed by not only how hard he is working when he is training and rehabbing but everything he is doing away from that as well.
"I'm looking forward to the point when he is back on the grass. He tells me he's just about ready to go now. I anticipate him being available in August."
Borthwick stuck with Alex Dombrandt at No.8 throughout the Six Nations despite England’s back row struggling to impose itself - most notably at home to France in a record Twickenham defeat.
The Cumbrian said he met with Vunipola in January, the pair had spoken twice by phone during the Six Nations and twice in person since.
“Billy’s been an important player for England for a number of seasons,” Borthwick added. “And I think he has the potential to be an important player for England going forward.”
As for the non-availability of Montpellier-bound Simmonds, the coach would only say: “The situation is personal to Sam. He talked to me about his family and the different factors of what is ahead of him.
“Every player is within their rights to make the best decisions for their circumstances. What I would say is I have the great privilege now of working with a group desperate to be part of this World Cup and desperate to represent England.”
Simmonds’ absence improves the chances of Zach Mercer, whom he just happens to be replacing in the 8 shirt at Montpellier. Mercer, last capped in 2018, was player of the season in France’s Top-14 a year ago.
“Zach's really ambitious about being part of the England team and that's impressed me,” Borthwick said.
“He's gone and played in France and developed and learned from that. I sense a guy who has grown.”
Warren Gatland says he would not have retaken the Wales job had he known the scale of problems rugby faced in the country.
The Dragons failed to breathe fire on the field, finishing bottom but one in the Six Nations. Off it, Steve Phillips resigned as chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union over claims of sexism and misogyny against the governing body - and Welsh players threatened to go on strike ahead of the clash with England amid delays over new contracts.
“When I came into the Six Nations, I had no idea,” Gatland told the Scrum V podcast. “I didn’t realise a lot of the things that were going on and the issues that were behind rugby and the squad and the players.
“At the time, if I had known, I would have made a different decision and probably gone somewhere else.”
