Fit-again Mako Vunipola set to face Italy
Mako Vunipola is set to make his England comeback against Italy this weekend after joining up with the squad, while his brother Billy will be reviewed by medical staff on Wednesday (AEDT).
Prop Mako came through 70 minutes on his Saracens return in a Premiership defeat at Gloucester last Friday after two months out with a knee injury.
The powerful loosehead reported for international duty on Tuesday and is in line to feature in the Six Nations clash with Italy at Twickenham on Monday.
Wing Anthony Watson is also poised to face Conor O'Shea's men having recovered from a hamstring strain after being named in Eddie Jones' 28-man squad, which includes Leicester Tigers forward Mike Williams.
Mako's younger sibling, Billy, stated that he is unlikely to play in the final game of the tournament versus Ireland next month and the number eight will have his knee injury assessed at England's Pennyhill Park base.
Defending champion England beat France and Wales in its first two matches of the Six Nations and should be far too strong for an Italy side who have lost their two matches convincingly.
England squad:
Forwards: Jack Clifford , Dan Cole, Charlie Ewels, Jamie George, Teimana Harrison, Dylan Hartley (captain), James Haskell, Nathan Hughes, Maro Itoje, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Mako Vunipola, Mike Williams, Tom Wood.
Backs: Mike Brown, Danny Care, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Ben Te’o, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.
