Billy Vunipola’s injury nightmare has continued after the Saracens No 8 pulled up with a hamstring problem halfway through a routine training session only three days after his long-awaited return from a broken arm.

With an England squad for the tour to South Africa to be named next Thursday, this latest setback could not have come at a worse time for the 25-year-old, who won the last of his 34 caps in March 2017, against Ireland in Dublin.

Vunipola has managed only two Tests in the past 17 months, missing the Lions tour to New Zealand as well. It is no coincidence that England’s fortunes have nosedived in the absence of the Saracen who lends so much go-forward power to their game. Head coach Eddie Jones will be monitoring bulletins on Vunipola’s progress closely.

Vunipola has had a wretched 18 months, with knee and shoulder injuries. Last Sunday’s 20-minute cameo from the bench against London Irish took his total game time for the season to just 249 minutes.

At this stage, Saracens regard the hamstring issue as the type of problem that can crop up when a player is coming back from injury and has put extra strain on his body as he pushes for fitness.