England's Mako Vunipola must prove fitness during 40-minute Saracens cameo

Saracens prop Mako Vunipola will have to come through a 40-minute test against Gloucester on Friday night to convince Eddie Jones he should return to the England front row against Italy at Twickenham on February 26.

Paul Gustard, the England forwards coach, has revealed that Vunipola will not play the entire game for the Premiership champions on his earlier than expected return to action following a knee ligament injury.

However, that 40-minute cameo is deemed enough to warrant a recall — if he comes through unscathed.

Gustard, who joined the England squad at a Bayswater bowling alley yesterday as they took time out from training, said: “The hope is Mako will have a 40-minute involvement with Saracens, either starting or off the bench.”

Gustard played down concerns over Nathan Hughes’s knee injury which threatened his involvement against Wales last Saturday, while he confirmed Anthony Watson was ready to play against Italy after recovering from a hamstring injury. The forwards coach also moved to back captain Dylan Hartley, who looks certain to miss the Italy game as Jones changes his line-up with Owen Farrell leading the team.

“Dylan is the captain of our team and it is important he trains with us and stays with us,” said Gustard.

“Off the pitch, during the week, he leads things, whether that be the tactics meeting with the senior playing group or the game plan for Italy. He is heavily involved with those things and a lot goes through Dylan. He does that brilliantly.

“He has a great relationship with Eddie, there is mutual respect.”