Sidelined.

England prop Mako Vunipola picked up fresh injury concern in the win over Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday that is set to keep him sidelined once again.

But the good news is it’s not a bad as initially thought. The 28-year-old has a small tear of scar tissue which will require approximately 10 days of rehabilitation.

Vunipola only recently returned to action since having surgery to reattach tendons after tearing his hamstring in May. In his absence Ben Moon will join up with the squad as a temporary replacement to train in Treviso.

Meanwhile Jack Nowell’s chances of playing in Japan are ‘touch and go’, according to his club coach Rob Baxter. The 26-year-old injured his ankle in Exeter’s Premiership final defeat by Saracens in June, but was included in England’s 31-man squad.

“I think he’s going to be touch and go for involvement in the World Cup,” Baxter told BBC Radio Devon.

“But let’s cross our fingers and hope that he can come through.”