Mako Vunipola misses England's match against Ireland as the prop flies back to Tonga for 'family reasons'

England prop Mako Vunipola has been ruled out of Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland for family reasons.

Vunipola has been left out of the 33-man training squad that will prepare for the round three fixture, with Beno Obano called up in his place.

“Mako Vunipola is not included as he has travelled back to Tonga for family reasons,” a Rugby Football Union statement read.

Losing Vunipola is a major blow for England, who have already lost his younger brother Billy to a broken arm for the entire Six Nations.

Eddie Jones still has two high-quality looseheads at his disposal, however, in Joe Marler and Ellis Genge.

(Continue reading below…)

Clive Woodward calls on the SRU to take drastic action against Finn Russell

England will on Wednesday give a fitness update on Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade, who have been suffering from respective groin and ankle problems.

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)

WATCH: ‘Spectacular’ TV numbers recorded in France on the back of Fabien Galthie’s revival