Mako Vunipola set for Saracens return

England prop Mako Vunipola will return from a nine-week injury lay-off when Saracens visit Gloucester on Friday.

Vunipola is yet to feature in the Six Nations after a knee problem picked up in December’s European Champions Cup win at Sale Sharks threatened to rule him out completely.

However, the 25-year-old will be back in competitive action as part of the starting XV at Kingsholm and could force his way into Eddie Jones’ plans for the clash with Italy next weekend, with England chasing a second successive grand slam.

Jones said following England’s victory over Wales on Saturday that Vunipola would be brought into camp should he come through a match with Gloucester unscathed.

Vunipola’s brother, Billy, has also been missing with a serious knee injury and is targeting a return for the potential title decider against Ireland in Dublin on March 18.

Meanwhile, Saracens have recruited Tom Lindsay on a short-term deal from Gloucester to cover for the injured Scott Spurling.