Mako Vunipola set for call-up to England squad

Published on 25/10/2012 01:01

Saracens prop Mako Vunipola is expected to be fast-tracked into the England set-up for the QBE autumn internationals when coach Stuart Lancaster 
finalises his squad today.

Vunipola has emerged as the likely replacement for Alex Corbisiero, who is not due to return to action from a knee injury until mid-November. Lancaster will also announce replacements for Ben Foden, Tom Croft and Rob Webber, who are all out of England’s Tests against Fiji, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

Leicester hooker Tom Youngs, who toured South Africa with England in the summer, is set to be promoted into the senior squad as Dylan Hartley’s immediate understudy for the four-Test series. The 21-year-old Vunipola is set to be promoted again after an impressive start to his first full-season in the Premiership. The 20-stone loose-head prop was born in New Zealandand has played for England 
under-18s and under-20s.