Ruaridh McConnochie a doubt to make England debut against Wales

Ruaridh McConnochie is a late doubt for England’s World Cup match against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday because of muscle soreness.

McConnochie was due to make his international debut against Warren Gatland’s men at Twickenham last weekend but was withdrawn due to a hip problem. The Bath wing, a sevens specialist who won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics, is understood to be 50-50 to pull through.

“Ruaridh pulled up a bit sore today so we’re not 100 per cent sure how he’ll be,” head coach Eddie Jones said. “We’ll find out later tonight. It’s not the same injury. He’s just sore, so we’ll find out about it.”

If McConnochie fails his fitness test, either Anthony Watson or Jonny May will be drafted straight into the starting XV to plug the gap on the right wing.

Jones delivered better news on Mako Vunipola, the loosehead prop who is poised to make his comeback from a significant hamstring injury sustained at the back end of last season. “Mako did a bit of extra work at the end of training today, a bit of contact work. A bit of defence work. He should get some time next weekend against Ireland,” Jones said.

source: theguardian.com