England get huge injury scare as Vunipola limps off injured in Argentina win
ENGLAND suffered a huge injury scare as Billy Vunipola limped off in yesterday’s brutal win.
Eddie Jones’ men became the first team to qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals.
But it came at a cost as No 8 Vunipola twisted his ankle after 40 minutes.
Jones said: “He felt a twinge. We’ll have a look in the morning and see what it’s like.”
The England coach tried to play down the injury, joking: “He slipped on a bit of Kobe beef.”
But fears grew when Vunipola remained in the dressing room for the second half — as players with minor injuries are usually seen icing them on the sidelines.
For the second game running, Owen Farrell was targeted with another shot to the head — this time by red-carded Pumas back row Tomas Lavanini.
SORE JAW
After wearing another high and illegal shot to the face, Farrell said he was OK — despite then going on to miss his next four attempts at goal.
The skipper said: “I feel fine. It’s obviously concussion that’s the worry but I didn’t get hit anywhere near the top of the head.
“Maybe your jaw gets a bit sore but I was fine and there was no need for a Head Injury Assessment.”
Aussie Jones moved to ease rumours he will fly nine hours home to Sydney next week to attend the funeral of his old Randwick mate Jeff Sayle.
most read in rugby union
With the funeral on Friday, he would only just make it back in time for Saturday’s crunch Pool C decider against France in Yokohama.
The Aussie added: “I’d like to go but unless the RFU hire a Concorde for me, it’ll be quite difficult.
“I doubt very much that I’ll be going, as much as I’d like to. I’ve got a lot of responsibility here.”