England’s World Cup prospects have received a sizeable boost with the powerful forwards Ollie Chessum and Billy Vunipola primed for a return to action this month. Chessum had been rated a major doubt but has made a remarkable recovery from a serious ankle injury while Vunipola is back in full training before the opening warm-up game against Wales on Saturday.
Chessum, 22, was among the standout England forwards in the Six Nations last season until he sustained a fracture dislocation before the final game in Ireland in mid-March. A little over four-and-a-half months later the towering lock is now in line to secure a place in the 33-man World Cup squad which will be unveiled on Monday.
