England prop Mako Vunipola has been ruled out to face Wales in the Six Nations on Saturday as precaution against coronavirus, England Rugby said on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old missed England’s 24-12 victory over Ireland on Feb. 23 after going to Tonga for family reasons and he travelled back via Hong Kong, which has been hit by the coronavirus.
“Mako is not with us now. He has got a medical issue so he won’t be available for the weekend. It is just something medical, so he is out for the weekend,” Proudfoot told reporters. “We will take it week by week.”
Hours after reports that Vunipola was in self-isolation, the prop trained with club side Saracens, with the club taking less caution than England team doctors.
The club said in a statement on Wednesday: “Travellers returning from Hong Kong are not currently subject to mandatory quarantine or self-isolation unless they become symptomatic.
“Neither Billy or Mako have displayed symptoms of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and on their return to London were assessed by the club’s medical staff.
“The duo have been around the Saracens environment for the past couple of days, with the latter available for selection this weekend.
“Saracens will continue to follow the Public Health England and World Health Organisation regulations surrounding coronavirus and the medical staff will be closely monitoring Billy and Mako on a regular basis.
England are second in the standings with nine points — four behind leaders France — while Wales are fourth with six points.