NICK CAIN

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The wailing and gnashing of teeth over Billy Vunipola’s withdrawal from the Lions tour party to New Zealand due to a shoulder injury has been way over the top. When the powerhouse No.8 made himself unavailable after requiring regular treatment during Saracens Premiership semi-final exit against Exeter at Sandy Park the doomsayers were out in force almost instantly.
The talk was of a body blow to the Lions’ hopes of winning the series against the All Blacks even before they had left these shores, such was the magnitude of their loss....