Jack Nowell has been labelled a major doubt for the Rugby World Cup - but Mako Vunipola will be fit for England’s campaign.
Vunipola suffered a small tissue tear to his hamstring against Ireland last Saturday in his first game back from a lengthy injury lay-off.
The prop will miss England’s final warm-up game against Italy, in Newcastle on Friday week, but is only expected to be absent for 10 days so his World Cup involvement would appear safe.
Nowell’s situation is altogether more perilous. The Exeter star has not played since suffering ankle damage in the Premiership final in June and no date is set for his return.
Eddie Jones had already ruled him out of the Italy game but yesterday Exeter boss Rob Baxter painted an even bleaker picture.
"I think he's going to be touch and go for involvement in the World Cup," Baxter told BBC Radio Devon. "But let's cross our fingers and hope that he can come through."
Should he not make it, England would be denied a key squad member given Nowell’s versatility. He is equally effective at wing, fullback and centre.
England flew to Treviso yesterday afternoon for their final training camp ahead of departure for Japan on September 8.
Ben Moon was called into the squad as a temporary prop replacement for Vunipola and Jones also went outside his official 31-man World Cup squad to take Matt Kvesic, Charlie Ewels and Joe Marchant.
The squad will remain in northern Italy, acclimatising to the sort of humidity they anticipate in Japan, until late next week when they fly to the North-East for their date at St James’ Park.
