Billy Vunipola ruled out of the Lions tour through injury
The 34-cap Saracens and England No 8 has paid for the unrelenting nature of season in what is a significant blow to Warren Gatlands touring Lions. TAGS:Billy VunipolaBritish & Irish LionsHighlightJames Haskell.
The British & Irish Lions have been rocked by the news that Saracens and England No 8 Billy Vunipola has been ruled out of the Series in New Zealand with a shoulder injury.
James Haskell, a former charge of Warren Gatland's at Wasps, has been called up in his place.
There are suggestions that Vunipola had been managing the injury but that a bang during the hugely physical battle against the Exeter Chiefs on the weekend meant that further medical attention was the only way forward for the outstanding 34-cap No 8, who has only a week previously picked up a Man of the Match award for his part in Saracens reclaiming the Champions Cup.
Running repairs: Vunipola was seen having treatment on his shoulder against Exeter Chiefs It is a blow to the solar plexes for the Lions but it's not a knockout blow.
There are still three players in the squad who can play No 8.
Taulupe Faletau, who has 66-caps and has been in imperious form for Bath in recent weeks is favourite to wear the Test shirt in New Zealand, while the rambunctious CJ Stander, the Munster No 8 who has been playing at blindside for his country with great effect, and of course, Ross Moriarty, a blindside who can happily play at No 8, and kept the returning Faletau out of the Wales side during the Six Nations.
Vunipola was favourite to pack down at the back of the scrum, and his 20st bulk, soft hands and ability to get over the gainline would have been a key attacking weapon for the Lions.
A gregarious character, he talked of his desperation to be part of the Lions squad after witnessing his brother Mako play his part in a winning Lions Series in Australia in 2013.
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