Rugby World Cup: Billy Vunipola pictured in protective moon boot hours before England denied he needed one
BILLY VUNIPOLA was pictured wearing a protective moon boot - just HOURS before England denied he needed one.
Scrum coach Neal Hatley was asked directly if the crocked No8 needed protective footwear after he took a bang to his ankle in Saturday's win against Argentina.
But as England prepare for Saturday's Group C decider against France, Hatley said: “No. He is just walking around fine.”
However, an England fan took a picture of the star man in the team hotel with doctor Rob Young and their Japanese fixer.
And today, the situation was still clear as mud - despite England saying they would get his scan results back by now.
Attack coach Scott Wisemantel said: “At this stage all 31 players are available and we will make a call late Wednesday early Thursday, but if there is any doubt we will rest him.
"We are being overly cautious and if there is any risk that Billy is not going to be 100 per cent we will rest him.
"I live a pretty simplistic life and that is the level of detail I have."
Vunipola didn't train with his teammates on Tuesday.
And Jack Nowell, Owen Farrell and Joe Marler were also missing for parts - throwing their availability into serious doubts.
When asked again about Vunipola, Wisemantel added: "He’s in the gym.
"Everyone was out on the ground today. We had separate warm-ups today – some inside, some outside, all individual and Billy’s more focused on recover and rehab."
England are also on red-alert over typhoon Hagibis - that was sure to hit the South Island of Kyushu, but now appears to be on its way towards Yokohama where England play Le Bleus in four days.
Wisemantel added: “Regarding the typhoon we have no control over the weather and we have to prepare for the game and see how it goes.
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"Regarding the permutation around the game and shared points we are just concentrating on playing to win.
"I live in a bubble and I don’t know where the game would be played.
"One thing I have learnt in Japan is that they prepare for the worst and then usually it doesn’t eventuate.”
