Monday 20 February 2017 16:29, UK
Billy Vunipola has admitted he is unlikely to play any part in England’s Six Nations campaign as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
The 24-year-old underwent surgery in December to repair ligament damage sustained during the autumn.
Head coach Eddie Jones had expressed hope that Vunipola could get back in time for England's final Six Nations match against Ireland in Dublin on March 18 but that now appears unlikely.
"I have still got a while to go - hopefully I will be running soon," Vunipola told The Sun. "I think it'll be two or three weeks so I probably won't make the Ireland game.
"There is a lot of work for myself to do and, up to this point, the physio team and the strength and conditioning group have done a great job.
"So I shall keep my head down and when I am back, I am back, but I am not expecting to walk straight back into the England team.
"It will be tough for me to put pressure on myself so it is probably a bit unfair to say I will come straight back into the fold."
Vunipola's brother Mako is in line to return for England against Italy at Twickenham this weekend after missing the opening two of the games of the tournament against France and Wales with a knee ligament injury.
The 26-year-old prop proved his fitness in front of Jones after nine weeks out by playing for 70 minutes for Saracens during Friday's 31-23 defeat to Gloucester.
