Billy Vunipola, the Saracens rugby player, has not featured in the England team since the appointment of Steve Borthwick.
Nevertheless, he is currently striving to earn a spot in the national squad for the upcoming World Cup.
It was reported last month that the Saracens number 8 had a ‘personal’ fallout with the New England boss.
On Saturday, with a crowd of 55,000 spectators in attendance, the 30-year-old outperformed Alex Dombrandt, who had replaced him in the England team, as Saracens emerged victorious over Harlequins by 36-24.
On his expulsion from the squad during the Six Nations, he said: “I got it wrong, I felt I became very selfish in wanting to force myself back into the team
“I’ve seen a better way to do it is to help others around me, who in turn help me. It’s not tennis, I can’t go out there and solely affect the game by myself. I’ve got to do my work within the team structures.”
He added: “It’s tough being at games, knowing you’ve not been picked,”
“Doing that [corporate] would feel like almost accepting my fate and saying I’m fine with this. It’s not my job to commentate. I’m still playing, and I want to play.”
“It’s personal” – Five players who won’t play for England again under Steve Borthwick
Steve Borthwick has been brutal In his short time in charge of England, dropping a number of major stars ahead of the 2023 Six Nations.
Below, we look at five established stars who are unlikely to win another cap.
#1. Joe Marler
Age: 32
Position: Loosehead-prop
Caps: 83
Marler is unlikely to return to the England team during the 2023 Six Nations after he breached one of Steve Borthwick’s main rules.
The new England boss has a “no sh**talking policy” with England, whereby he expects players to behave appropriately on the pitch.
As a result, Marler was left out of the Six Nations squad despite his fine form with Harlequins this season.
Marler’s latest ban was for six weeks – four of them suspended – after accepting a charge regarding comments made to Bristol flanker Jake Heenan about his mother.
At this stage, an international return looks very unlikely.
DID YOU KNOW? Marler started his career at Haywards Heath RFC in Sussex where he played in the same side as fellow England international Billy Twelvetrees
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