Chiefs aim to be fit for Argentina clash

By Mark Stevens
24/9/19

England head coach Eddie Jones has confirmed both Jack Nowell and Mako Vunipola remain on course for possible inclusion in next week's Rugby World Cup clash with Argentina in Tokyo.

Both Nowell and Vunipola missed England's opening game win over Tonga on Sunday and they will both be missing - along with Exeter Chiefs centre Henry Slade - for Thursday's clash with the USA in Kobe.

Cornishman Nowell has been sidelined since the Gallagher Premiership Final back in June with first ankle and knee injuries then, more recently, he had to undergo an operation to remove his appendix whilst England were in their pre-World Cup training base in Treviso.

Prop Vunipola, meanwhile, has been struggling with a hamstring injury picked up during the warm-up games.

Today, though, Jones offered a positive update on the pair, saying both remain on target to return to action against Los Pumas.

“We have a squad of 31,” Jones expanded. “We have a plan for each player, some need to play a lot of rugby, some players are much better playing games every so often, and we have tried to manage the squad individually. We manage also in terms of what we need for each game to make sure we get the desired result.”

Slade is also expected to be fit for the game, despite aggravating a previous knee problem in Sunday's 35-3 victory over Tonga.

“He got a bit of a knock on his knee and decided not to risk him,” Jones added. “We want him right for the next game.”