England prop Mako Vunipola will miss the rest of the Six Nations with an ankle injury. The 28-year-old sustained ankle ligament damage in the 44-8 win over France at Twickenham on Sunday and is now expected to be on the sidelines until the end of April.
Vunipola will return to his club Saracens for treatment, with England boss Eddie Jones admitting it is a blow to lose him for the rest of the Championship, with games to come against Wales, Italy and Scotland. “It is obviously very disappointing to lose Mako at this stage,” Jones said. “He is an important player for us but it does provide an opportunity for the team to grow.”
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Vunipola had impressed in the Red Rose’s first two wins – over Ireland and France – but his absence will give others the chance to shine, with Ben Moon and Ellis Genge now both in contention to start the next game against Wales on February 23.
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