Sunday 5 March 2017 22:18, UK
Billy Vunipola has been named in Eddie Jones' squad for England's Six Nations clash with Scotland on Saturday.
The 24-year-old No 8 could win his 33rd cap in this weekend's Calcutta Cup match after making his comeback from a three-month injury lay-off to play in Saracens' 35-27 win at Newcastle in the Aviva Premiership on Sunday.
The fixture was Vunipola's first appearance since being carried from the pitch on a stretcher against Argentina last November, but after Saracens' five-try victory he revealed he was ready to make his international return.
"I talked to Eddie this week and I said to him that, if I came through the game and I feel okay, we can talk but I'd love to be back in the mix," he said.
"I don't want to disrespect anyone by saying I'm going to walk straight in. If he wants me to play, I'm more than happy to but I'm still waiting for his call."
Jones had raised hopes Vunipola would be fit to feature in England's final match against Ireland, but having maintained continued contact with Saracens the forward could yet play a part against Scotland.
Mako Vunipola, Billy's brother, and Anthony Watson have also been retained in the squad after being released by England to play for their club sides this weekend in a bid to earn more playing time.
Watson returned to England's training squad for last Sunday's win over Italy but did not make the final squad, while Mako Vunipola will hope to displace Joe Marler at loosehead prop against the Scots after following up his substitute appearance against the Azzurri by playing alongside his brother for Saracens this weekend.
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said both brothers had come through Sunday's game unscathed and that Billy stayed on longer than expected at his own request.
"I thought he was pretty good," McCall said. "He probably played a bit longer than we anticipated but he felt good during the game, which was a really positive sign.
"We were going to wait and see how he was and how he felt. He said he felt good at half-time and wanted a bit more and so we gave him a bit more."
Jones has opted to increase the squad size to 30 players ahead of back-to-back fixtures and with several players expected to be carrying knocks heading into the Scotland fixture.
Bath centre Jonathan Joseph, who has trained at England's camp in Oxford this week, returns after being dropped for the win over Italy, while Saracens' Alex Lozowski and Harlequins' Marland Yarde also come in to bolster the backs.
Teimana Harrison of Northampton Saints and Mike Williams of Leicester Tigers have been included as additional options for Jones' forward pack.
England squad to play Scotland:
Forwards: Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Teimana Harrison (Northampton Saints), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Wasps), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins) , Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Mike Williams (Leicester Tigers), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)
Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath Rugby), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Marland Yarde (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
