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Billy Vunipola has been beasted in training for the past month in anticipation of his return from suspension for England\u2019s World Cup clash with Japan.<\/p>\n
Vunipola was banned for the final warm-up match against Fiji and Saturday\u2019s 27-10 victory over Argentina that opened Pool D after being sent off for a dangerous tackle against Ireland last month.<\/p>\n
The powerful Saracens number eight is expected to be involved in Sunday\u2019s next group assignment in Nice, especially with Tom Curry facing a suspension for his red card against the Pumas.<\/p>\n
To help prepare one of their most potent carriers after a four-week absence from the field, Vunipola has received special attention from head of strength and conditioning Aled Walters.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately for Billy he was handed over to Aled Walters, which is not a pleasant experience for him,\u201d attack coach Richard Wigglesworth said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThere\u2019s a group of lads who are given extra conditioning, lads who maybe didn\u2019t get many minutes or didn\u2019t play.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately for Billy that\u2019s been him every time for the last few weeks. Aled has been working him hard and he looks good to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vunipola could slot straight in at number eight against Japan, with Ben Earl either moving to openside to cover for Curry or being rested altogether.<\/p>\n
\u201cBilly has got great physical presence and it\u2019s great to have him back on the training field,\u201d Wigglesworth said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cBut he\u2019s a really smart player as well \u2013 he puts himself in great positions and he\u2019s got great hands. He\u2019s got more threat than just being a big ball carrier.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s really smart and knows when to shift the ball and change the point of contact for other players as well. It\u2019s great for us to have him available.\u201d<\/p>\n
England are in high spirits following their astonishing rout of Argentina in Marseille that was engineered despite Curry\u2019s third-minute yellow card being upgraded to red on review.<\/p>\n
While there is an acceptance they must sharpen up their attack \u2013 butchering a four-on-two overlap was the most glaring of several toothless moments against the Pumas \u2013 they have a solid platform to build from.<\/p>\n
Assisting their forward preparations is line-out expert George Kruis, the former England second row who won 45 caps from 2014-20 and who has linked up with the squad at their Le Touquet base.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeorge has lost a lot of weight. He\u2019s had a bit of stick for his weight,\u201d Wigglesworth said of his retired former Saracens team-mate.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe actually compared his body to mine, which, considering he was 117kg when he played, was not the best compliment for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeorge helps with the line-out. Him and Steve Borthwick chat for hours behind closed doors and I really don\u2019t want to listen to those conversations. They have a proper line-out nause off.<\/p>\n
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\u201cHe helps the callers and with the line-out menu that they get. All that detail that I don\u2019t need to know.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great to have him around because he has an affinity with so many of the lads. It\u2019s been really nice having him for a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n