Sunday 20 May 2018 15:21, UK
Eddie Jones has injury concerns in the back-row ahead of England's tour of South Africa with Wasps' Jack Willis expected to miss out amid fresh concerns over the fitness of Saracens' Billy Vunipola.
Willis, the 21-year-old Wasps back-rower, was only days ago celebrating his England call-up, but he was forced off in his side's 57-33 Aviva Premiership semi-final defeat to Saracens in Allianz Park.
Willis had to be helped from the pitch with a knee injury after being tackled by Owen Farrell and is unlikely to be involved against the Springboks.
"Jack's knee isn't looking too great, it's a hyperextension," said Wasps coach Dai Young. "He'll have a scan and he's on crutches. The medics think it's serious enough to have a scan straight away.
"Hopefully it's not too bad, but I would be surprised if it is anything that is going to be right in a week or two."
From an England perspective, that injury was compounded by the departure of Saracens and England star Billy Vunipola.
The back-row forward was making his return from a tight hamstring, having recently recovered from a broken arm, but was withdrawn at half-time due to the same injury and is now a doubt for Saturday's final against Exeter at Twickenham.
"Billy felt a little tightness in his hamstring and fought with us a little bit to go back out again, but it didn't seem worth the risk," Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said.
"I think he has got a chance to be fit for the final. He played pretty well for 40 minutes for someone who hasn't played for a long time."
There was some good news for Eddie Jones, however, with Wasps No 8 Nathan Hughes making a first appearance since the Six Nations.
"Considering he hasn't had a lot of rugby, I thought Nathan lasted well and looked far better than when he went into the England set-up in the Six Nations," added Young. "Whether he tours South Africa is a decision for Eddie."
