FORMER Thornbury Broncos ace Billy Vunipola (pictured above) is in line to take to the field for England against Fiji on Saturday after a midweek scare about his fitness.
The strapping 24-year-old number eight’s fitness was a concern on Tuesday when he suffered a mystery injury and was expected to be out of national training until at least today (Thursday).
However, despite suffering upper body soreness, which was the cause of the injury worry, England’s coaches confirmed that he played a full role in their sessions on Tuesday and that there are no doubts over his fitness.
He is expected to join brother Mako Vunipola in the pack to play the South Sea Islanders after Billy had yet another cracking match game in the win over South Africa last Saturday.
Nathan Hughes was lined-up to deputise for Billy Vunipola should his injury rule him out, but now Hughes or Teimana Harrison are likely to be at openside flanker after Jones decided to drop Tom Wood from Saturday’s squad.
Hughes was unable to train on Tuesday due to a lower leg injury but is expected to be back today.
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