Billy Vunipola returns in latest comeback from broken arm to hand Saracens and England an injury boost
England No 8 returns for his first start since October after recovering from a third broken arm in the space of a year in Saracens’ Premiership trip to Sale Sharks on Friday night
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Saracens' bid to regain top spot in the Gallagher Premiership has been boosted by Billy Vunipola's return from injury.
The Saracens and England number eight will begin his comeback in Friday's clash against Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Vunipola has not played since breaking his left arm against Heineken Champions Cup opponents Glasgow in October, which ruled him out of England's autumn Tests.
Vunipola, who also broke his right arm twice last year, returns to action a month before England launch their Guinness Six Nations campaign.
He packs down in the Saracens back-row alongside Nick Isiekwe and Schalk Burger, while Wales international back Liam Williams also features after recovering from a hamstring problem.
Saracens will reclaim top spot from Exeter if they beat Sale.
Exeter ended Saracens' 22-game unbeaten record just before Christmas, and although they responded by beating Worcester last weekend, Saracens had to do it by wiping out an early 14-point deficit before winning 25-17.
"We showed composure not to chase the game, make too many mistakes and get our heads down," Saracens full-back Alex Goode told the club's official website.
"We had chances to get a bonus point, and our attack needs to be better to take those chances.
"The response from the week before was good, and now we have a really tough game away to Sale, who had a great win over Gloucester (last Saturday).
"We are not playing our best at the moment, but the ability we have in that changing room makes us believe we can do something special."
Sale's only defeat in their last six Premiership games was against Saracens in mid-November.
They beat Gloucester in bonus-point fashion five days ago, and another win would lift them into fourth place above Harlequins.
Saracens, though, have lost just once to Sale in the league during the past eight years - a 14-10 defeat in February 2015.
Sale boss Steve Diamond has made one change from the side that beat Gloucester.
Josh Strauss moves to number eight instead of Jean Luc Du Preez, who suffered a groin injury in that game, with skipper Jono Ross and England flanker Tom Curry completing the back-row.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments