Saracens confirm Mako Vunipola is available despite being ruled out by England over coronavirus fears

In training: Saracens say Vunipola is available for selection
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Will Macpherson4 March 2020

Saracens have declared Mako Vunipola “available for selection” against Leicester on Saturday despite the prop being stood down by England as a coronavirus precaution.

Confusion reigned on Tuesday as it was revealed that Vunipola had never come into camp, even though on Monday he had been named in England’s squad to face Wales this weekend.

The player missed the last game against Ireland to attend a family issue in Tonga with his injured brother, Billy.

The pair had flown back via Hong Kong and England’s medical staff decided that as a precaution he should not return to the team’s Bagshot base.

Vunipola has shown no symptoms and is not ill, but the RFU medical team’s decision erred on the cautious side, given the players and staff all stay in camp together at Pennyhill Park.

Forwards coach Matt Proudfoot had initially confused matters by saying only that it was “a medical issue” — which provided little clarity when there is widespread concern about the impact of coronavirus, both on the Six Nations and wider society with the number of cases in the UK rising to 53 this morning.

That only enforced the view that the RFU had been slightly caught on the hop over the issue, which might have been predicted before the player returned from Tonga.

Vunipola’s club Saracens — where players do not live on site and spend less time together — took an altogether different view. Despite not being welcome with England, he trained in St Albans with his club team-mates on Tuesday and is expected to train again on Thursday (Wednesday is a day off) and face Leicester this weekend as they follow official guidelines.

“Billy Vunipola and Mako Vunipola returned to Saracens after visiting family in Tonga, which included a short stop at Hong Kong Airport,” read a club statement this morning.

In Pictures | Six Nations 2020, round three | 22/02/2020

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“Travellers returning from Hong Kong are not currently subject to mandatory quarantine or self-isolation unless they become symptomatic.

“Neither Billy or Mako have displayed symptoms of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and on their return to London were assessed by the club’s medical staff. The duo have been around the Saracens environment for the past couple of days, with the latter available for selection this weekend.

“Saracens will continue to follow the Public Health England and World Health Organisation regulations surrounding coronavirus and the medical staff will be closely monitoring Billy and Mako on a regular basis.”

Coronavirus has already had a major impact on the Six Nations, with Ireland’s meeting against Italy on Saturday postponed and fears over whether other matches will go ahead.

PA

England’s trip to Rome on the final weekend — for which Vunipola was also expected to be unavailable for — is one of the most at risk, with Italy among the worst affected areas. Fortunately for England, Vunipola’s position at loosehead prop is one of great strength, with Joe Marler and Ellis Genge both performing well so far in the Championship.

Marler is expected to be starting when head coach Eddie Jones (above) names his team on Thursday.

Anthony Watson and Mark Wilson are available for the first time since the World Cup, while George Furbank is in a 27-man squad, too.

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