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.
Sources close to the prop told ESPN that he has shown no signs or symptoms of 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.
England are second in the standings with nine points — four behind leaders France — while Wales are fourth with six points.
Information from ESPN’s Tom Hamilton contributed to this report.