England have been dealt another blow ahead of the Rugby World Cup with Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola set to miss the tournament opener against Argentina.

Whilst the absence of Henry Slade from England's World Cup plans grabbed many headlines on Monday, the selection of Billy Vunipola was also a standout call made by Steve Borthwick.

England head coach Steve Borthwick has included Saracens' Billy Vunipola and Bath centre Ollie Lawrence to the 40-man training squad.

Saracens star Billy Vunipola says he is aiming to make it to the England squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France despite not featuring in this year's Six Nations tournament.

Billy Vunipola, Jonny May and Jack Nowell miss out on Borthwick's first England squad while the in-form Dan Cole, Elliot Daly and Ben Curry are included with Owen Farrell named as captain.

After Eddie Jones announced his 36-man squad to tour Australia this summer, TRU’s Joe Harvey has taken a look at the players who will be boarding a flight on Wednesday to head down under.

England coach Eddie Jones has recalled Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola and Danny Care in the 36-man squad for the upcoming tour of Australia.

Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall has urged England boss Eddie Jones to recall Mako and Billy Vunipola ahead of the upcoming Six Nations.

England international Billy Vunipola is expected to return back to action in late November following his latest injury setback.

After announcing a 45-man squad for a short training camp at The Lensbury, England head coach Eddie Jones may have signalled his intent as attentions begin to turn to France in two years time.

England coach Eddie Jones has left out Mako and Billy Vunipola, Jamie George, Elliot Daly and George Ford from the 45-man training squad ahead of the autumn international series.

With just a week to go until the Six Nations begins, Billy Vunipola addresses his 2021 British & Irish Lions ambitions and the back-row competition in England camp.

Saracens' England international Billy Vunipola says he wants to make use of every game opportunity to prepare himself for the upcoming international season.

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall has confirmed that England international Billy Vunipola will miss the entire Six Nations campaign following a broken forearm.

England will have an anxious wait on number eight Billy Vunipola's fitness following his ankle injury in the recently concluded World Cup game against Argentina.

Mako Vunipola is proud of little brother Billy's self-control after he was booed throughout Saracens' Heineken Champions Cup victory over Munster.

England international Billy Vunipola has been handed an official warning by the Rugby Football Union following his comments in support of Israel Folau.

The Rugby Football Union and Gallagher Premiership club Saracens have condemned the comments of Billy Vunipola after the England number eight came in support of Israel Folau's controversial social media anti-gay post.

England have been dealt another major blow ahead of their autumn internationals with Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola ruled out of the campaign following a broken arm.

England international Billy Vunipola will miss the start of the Gallagher Premiership season for Saracens after failing to make sufficient recovery from an arm fracture that he sustained during the June series in South Africa.