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Vunipola brothers on England bench for Scotland clash
By Christopher Devine
Billy Vunipola is set to make his international comeback from the bench when England seek to make history with a Six Nations victory over Scotland on Saturday.
The influential back-row forward returned to action for Saracens last week, having recovered from knee surgery ahead of schedule, and had been tipped to make a swift return to England's starting line-up this weekend.
However, Vunipola has been named among the replacements along with brother Mako, as Nathan Hughes retains the number eight jersey.
Victory over Scotland would put England one step away from a second successive Grand Slam triumph and ensure Eddie Jones' men equal New Zealand's record of 18 successive Test wins by a tier-one nation.
Jones has made three changes to his team - Jonathan Joseph, Jack Nowell and Ben Youngs all returning after dropping out of the starting XV for the win over Italy.
Bath centre Anthony Watson joins Billy Vunipola in being named in the matchday 23 for the first time in the tournament, following his return to fitness.
Although Dylan Hartley is again retained as captain, Joe Marler will lead England out of the tunnel at Twickenham to mark his 50th cap.
BREAKING | Your England team to face Scotland on Saturday in the RBS 6 Nations
https://t.co/mggbLb8Ob6 pic.twitter.com/V7CtbcXVKP
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 9, 2017
England: Mike Brown, Jack Nowell, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley (captain), Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Maro Itoje, James Haskell, Nathan Hughes.
Replacements: Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, Kyle Sinckler, Tom Wood, Billy Vunipola, Danny Care, Ben Te'o, Anthony Watson.
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"And you think they are finished products? 🤣"
I think Ntamack was a better player at 21 than Marcus is at 25. I think his game will continue to develop, but I don't think either of them will get very much better. Dan Carter became an incredible game manager as he got older, but he never dominated the opposition more than he did aged 23. Wilkinson pretty indisputably hit his peak at 24. Not everyone is Johnny Sexton, and most players who are touted as prodigies turn out to have peaked young.
"That, or the English game has been slow to develop. I'll let you decide the answer to that one Finn 😉"
no, England have generally looked like a good side when Smith isn't in the team.
"Great job illustrating he's the man to take England to WC 27' though, kinda counter to wanting a 35yo Farrell!"
literally no one is arguing for Farrell.
Go to commentsScott Robertson is within his rights to state a case. Richie Mo'unga would have made a huge difference to the All Blacks this year. To say he and Richie worked well together at the Crusaders is a massive understatement. 7 titles speaks for itself. He then guided Brave Lupus to the Japanese League title in 2024. It worked well when Richie's fellow Crusaders great Matt Todd and team mate ,was able to play for the All Blacks while in Japan in 2018.
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