Vunipola To Miss World Cup Pool-Stage

England prop Mako Vunipola has suffered an injury setback and will miss the pool stage of the World Cup, according to Eddie Jones.

The New Zealand-born prop has been nursing a hamstring injury but it was hoped he would be ready for England’s opening pool-stage match against Tonga on September 22.

But his recovery hasn’t gone to plan and Jones, who was speaking after England beat Italy 37-0 in their final World Cup warm-up match, admits he isn’t likely to feature until the knockout stages. Jones said: “He’s probably going to be right for the third or fourth game.

“He just had a little scar tissue which was impairing his movement. “But that’s all been fixed. He’s progressing really well now.” The Red Rose are also set to be without Jack Nowell for the opening few matches of the showpiece event in Japan.

Nowell has been out with a long-term ankle injury, while he also suffered appendicitis at their Italy training camp last week, but he is making good progress.

Jones added: “Jack Nowell is probably in the same category [as Vunipola]. “They are important players for us so we are prepared to be patient with them.”