"Race against time" - The Injured Players in England's Rugby World Cup Training Squad

Amongst the squad are players that are currently side-lined with injury, who are hoping to recover in time for the upcoming competition. Before England head to France, they have back-to-back home and away matches with Wales, a trip to Dublin to take on Six Nations Grand Slam winners Ireland, and a Fijian sized road block to see out the Summer.

These injured stars will hope to feature in the upcoming 'friendlies', in their journeys back to fitness ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Here are the injured stars amongst the England squad, that will be soon making headway on their preparations at Pennyhill Park.

One of the break-out international stars of the entire 2023 Six Nations, lock Ollie Chessum had his momentum halted by an untimely ankle injury. The Leicester Tigers star suffered a broken fibula and shattered his ankle, during England's final training week ahead of the Six Nations finale against Ireland.

Chessum has since undergone ankle surgery, and is completing his rehab with the England Rugby medical team. The 22-year-old's Premiership season was cut short, as the Leicester lock has not featured for club or country since the incident. Chessum was the second best lineout jumper in the 2023 Six Nations, as he completed 18 set-pieces for Steve Borthwick's side.

Billy Vunipola has been called up by Steve Borthwick for the first time, following the shock self-withdrawal of number eight Sam Simmonds. The soon-to-be Montpellier star voluntarily dropped out of Borthwick's plans ahead of the Summer preparations, which opened up the door for the currently side-lined Vunipola.

The 30-year-old suffered a knee injury in the Heineken Champions Cup semi-final, as Saracens were eliminated from the competition by La Rochelle. The powerhouse forward missed the remainder of the season for Sarries, and sat out the 2022/23 Premiership Final, as the Men in Black recorded a 35-25 victory over Sale Sharks.

The first of two hookers who currently occupy the injury list for England, Jack Walker suffered a calf muscle injury during the early stages of England's first training week. It is understood that the Harlequin will be back to full fitness ahead of the Rugby World Cup, with Walker eager to build on his playing time for England at the competition.

Walker is a relatively new face to the England senior squad, and despite being included throughout the 2023 Six Nations training camps, the 27-year-old made just one off-the-bench appearance for England, in the victory against Italy. This also marked the hooker's international debut, giving him a taste of things to come whilst wearing the rose. The upcoming Summer warm-up matches would prove valuable for Walker, to gain further international experience ahead of the Rugby World Cup showcase.

Luke Cowan-Dickie has been out on the injury shelf for the majority of the 2022/23 season, and has not featured on the pitch since early January. The hooker suffered an ankle injury whilst playing for Exeter Chiefs against Northampton Saints, and has also had to deal with a persistent neck injury that has slowed his return to the front row.

The 29-year-old was forced to sit-out the 2023 Six Nations, meaning that he has not made an on-field appearance during the Steve Borthwick era. Borthwick certainly values the front-rower, who has been included in the training group to complete his injury recovery. The injury concerns were reportedly an influential factor in the breakdown of Cowan-Dickie's move to Montpellier.

Joining Jack Walker in the recovery suit after the opening week of England training is Ollie Lawrence. The Bath centre is reported to be suffering from a knee injury, which he sustained during the first few days of training with the international camp. Like Walker, Lawrence's projected return date is currently six weeks, with the explosive ball carrier aiming to be back to full fitness for England's warm-up matches.

Lawrence took a shining role in the latest Six Nations campaign, and was definitely one of the most imposing England players throughout the whole tournament. Lawrence stepped up into the vacant centre spot, following the suspension to Manu Tuilagi. Lawrence's bulldozing carries showed great resemblance to the Sale Sharks man, with a power struggle anticipated between the two for the starting jersey.