{"id":620275,"date":"2020-03-05T04:46:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-05T04:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/?p=620275"},"modified":"2020-03-26T17:38:09","modified_gmt":"2020-03-26T17:38:09","slug":"why-england-will-miss-mako-vunipolas-influence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/why-england-will-miss-mako-vunipolas-influence\/","title":{"rendered":"Why England Will Miss Mako Vunipola\u2019s Influence"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Why England Will Miss Mako Vunipola\u2019s Influence<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/B3RU_94JXem\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"12\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;\"><a style=\"color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/B3RU_94JXem\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Good to be back in the mixer &#x1f339;<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\">A post shared by <a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mako_vunipola\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Mako Vunipola<\/a> (@mako_vunipola) on <time style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;\" datetime=\"2019-10-06T08:53:30+00:00\">Oct 6, 2019 at 1:53am PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script> Attempts to curb the spread coronavirus will see Mako Vunipola\u2019s return to the England fold delayed. He\u2019s been missed during the 2020 Six Nations, and his influence cannot be underestimated. Eddie Jones has talked about his strength in the backline and how he complements his more agile counterparts. When he\u2019s not there, it\u2019s obvious. While England remain <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sixnationsrugby.com\/report\/france-young-guns-stun-england-in-paris#report\">disappointed with their showing against France<\/a><\/span><\/span>, potentially handing Les Bleus a Grand Slam on their way to the title in 2020, there have been many positives, especially seeing young players beginning to establish themselves. George Furbank, Willi Heinz and Lewis Ludlam have all shown sparks of what they can do alongside impressive work by stalwarts Billy Vunipola, Maro Itoje and Jonny May. In short, others have stepped up but Mako\u2019s presence leaves a hole in England\u2019s backline that was exploited on its losing trip to France in Game Week 1. It\u2019s unlikely Mako Vunipola\u2019s entry into the squad for England\u2019s game against Wales would change the <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.paddypower.com\/rugby-union\">rugby odds from Paddy Power<\/a><\/span><\/span>, which can\u2019t split the two national rivals even if the 13-time Grand Slam winners are still given hope, at 15\/8, that they can topple the French. Wales will be seeking to turn around their disappointment at losing to France at home but England will fancy their chances in front of a partisan Twickenham crowd. Mako Vunipola\u2019s absence from the squad comes after recommendations to protect the training camp environment. It was prompted after the loosehead prop recently travelled via Hong Kong following a visit to a sick relative in Tonga. He is unlikely to feature for England during the remaining Six Nations games. What Saracens will gain \u2013 as he\u2019s available for his domestic club after showing no signs of illness \u2013 and England will miss is a combination of carries and tackles with the capacity to scrum with the best in the business. He\u2019s powerful, and like his brother Billy, very skilful. He also reads the game really well, unlike a typical prop.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/B3-ZwcpHeLu\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"12\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;\"><a style=\"color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/B3-ZwcpHeLu\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Vunipola brother treatment &#x1f91c;&#x1f91b; &#8211; #LiveRugby #LiveTheJersey #LifeStyleSports #RugbyJersey #RWC2019 #RWC #RugbyWorldCup #Vunipola #MakoVunipola #BillyVunipola #VunipolaBrothers #EnglandRugby #ERU<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\">A post shared by <a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lifestylesportsrugby\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Life Style Sports Rugby<\/a> (@lifestylesportsrugby) on <time style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;\" datetime=\"2019-10-23T21:00:54+00:00\">Oct 23, 2019 at 2:00pm PDT<\/time><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script> Sides have come to realise that if they double-up on him, he\u2019s got the awareness to find a pass. Conversely, if you go one-on-one, Mako is almost certainly coming out on top. But it\u2019s more than the stats that set him apart. He\u2019s eager to get back into the game, preying on the ball. It\u2019s that hunger and desire that makes him an ever-present; tirelessly busting into tackles and breaking through the line. It\u2019s a talent \u2013 and consistency \u2013 that has seen him represent the British and Irish Lions six times. Having <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;\"><a style=\"color: #3366ff; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.the42.ie\/mako-vunipola-england-ireland-six-nations-5011568-Feb2020\/\">missed England\u2019s Six Nations through injury<\/a><\/span><\/span>, it\u2019s bad news ahead of crucial games against Wales and Italy that Mako Vunipola won\u2019t be available. A huge personality on the field thanks to his fierce competitiveness and physical stature, Vunipola\u2019s influence on this England team cannot be underestimated. While the national side will get an opportunity to see some of the next generation on the biggest stage, the challenge to topple France feels that bit tougher without Mako in the side.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why England Will Miss Mako Vunipola\u2019s Influence View this post on Instagram Good to be back in the mixer &#x1f339; A post shared by Mako Vunipola (@mako_vunipola) on Oct 6, 2019 at 1:53am PDT Attempts to curb the spread coronavirus will see Mako Vunipola\u2019s return to the England fold delayed. He\u2019s been missed during the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":619181,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-620275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ulster-rugby"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/620275","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=620275"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/620275\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":621103,"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/620275\/revisions\/621103"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/619181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=620275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=620275"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intouchrugby.com\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=620275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}