The British and Irish Lions squad preparing to head to New Zealand has suffered a massive blow with the withdrawal of England's Billy Vunipola because of injury. The Saracens' no 8 has a damaged shoulder which requires further treatment, forcing head coach Warren Gatland to call up Wasps' James Haskell instead.
Vunipola was among the key forwards in Gatland’s armoury, having become an increasingly mature force for both club and country. He played the full 80 minutes in his side’s 18-16 defeat to Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday but has since informed the Lions management he feels unable to join the tour party, who are due to fly out next Monday.
“It is really disappointing for Billy and we know how much he was looking forward to joining the squad, “ said Gatland. “He has been carrying an injury, feels he wouldn’t be able to contribute fully to the Tour and needs further medical treatment. We really appreciate his honesty in making this decision and wish him luck with his recovery.”
The Lions can still call on Wales no 8 Taulupe Faletau and Ireland’s CJ Stander, with Gloucester’s Ross Moriarty another possible Test alternative, but there is no question the 24-year-old Vunipola’s absence will be keenly felt on and off the field. His brother Mako remains available but there are few back-rowers anywhere in the world with Billy’s compelling mix of power and exuberance. He missed the bulk of the Six Nations championship with a knee ligament injury sustained on club duty but played a central role in Saracens’ successful defence of their European Champions’ Cup title against Clermont Auvergne in Edinburgh.
Rather than turn to the experienced Irish Lion Jamie Heaslip, Gatland has instead plumped for Haskell, who has previously never been on a Lions tour and will join the squad next Sunday following the Aviva Premiership Final. The flanker has played provincial rugby in New Zealand and can be relied upon to throw himself whole-heartedly into the fray whenever the opportunity arises. Other specialist No 8s such as Wasps’ Fijian-reared forward Nathan Hughes have, for now, been passed over but the attrition rate in modern rugby is such that every half-fit forward should probably keep his phone on.
The news will certainly cast a shadow over this week’s training camp at Carton House near Dublin, where 30 players will be in attendance. Routine medical screening of the squad will be conducted over the next 24 hours, with Gatland due to give a further update later on Monday.
Vunipola, who has 34 caps, is the second England international to withdraw from the originally-selected squad, with Leicester scrum-half Ben Youngs having pulled out because his brother Tom’s wife Tiffany is seriously ill. Youngs has been replaced by Scotland’s captain Greig Laidlaw, with Gatland clearly opting for experienced cover wherever possible. The Lions are due to arrive in New Zealand a week on Wednesday and play their first fixture in Whangarei on Saturday week.
New Zealand also have their own injury concerns with Kieran Read, Dane Coles and Ben Smith among key players who have spent time on the sidelines lately. The Lions have only won one series in New Zealand, in 1971, and were defeated 3-0 the last time they encountered the All Blacks in 2005.
(Guardian service)
