England have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham on Sunday, with the news that Mako Vunipola will miss out.
A squad update released today says that the prop has had to travel back to Tonga for family reasons, and therefore will not be available to Eddie Jones for selection.
The prop returned to the side for their win over Scotland having missed out on the opening round defeat to France, and his absence is undoubtedly a major blow for the hosts, who need to win to keep their hopes of winning the championship alive.
Eddie Jones has recalled 33 players to continue preparations ahead of this weekend's match against Ireland 🌹
Find out more ⬇️— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 18, 2020
Beno Obano (Bath) has been called in as cover.
Manu Tuilagi is back in the squad having recovered from the groin injury he picked up against France, while Henry Slade also returns.
Andy Farrell is expected to name the Irish starting line-up tomorrow. He named an unchanged 36-man squad for this Sunday's clash, with Ireland looking to build on wins over Scotland and Wales in the first two rounds.
The full 33-man English squad is:
Forwards
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby)
Ben Earl (Saracens)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
Jamie George (Saracens)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Beno Obano (Bath Rugby)
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)
Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)
Backs
Elliot Daly (Saracens)
Ollie Devoto (Exeter Chiefs)
Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints)
Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby)
Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
Jacob Umaga (Wasps)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Apprentice player
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
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