Eddie Jones waiting for news on Mako Vunipola’s ankle injury sustained in England’s France win

Mako Vunipola was due to have a scan yesterday on the ankle he injured during Sunday’s win over France, but England are hopeful that their influential prop has not sustained serious damage.

Saracens’ 28-year-old Lions loosehead was forced off early in the second half at Twickenham, as the national team swept to a 44-8 victory over their hapless Gallic rivals. 

He had ice strapped to his left ankle on the bench and was evidently in some discomfort. 

Mako Vunipola was due to have scan on Monday on ankle he injured during win over France 

There will be no official update until after the England squad reconvene tomorrow in London, to start the countdown to facing Wales in Cardiff on February 23. However, it is understood that the problem may not be as serious as was first feared.

Another of England’s Saracens contingent, lock Maro Itoje, was back at the club doing rehabilitation work yesterday. 

He is seeking to make a rapid recovery from a knee ligament injury and remains on course to feature in the latter part of this Guinness Six Nations campaign.

When Eddie Jones’s Red Rose squad come back into camp, they are ready to relish what lies ahead; a momentous encounter with Wales – who are on an 11-Test winning streak – which will go a long way to deciding the outcome of this year’s title contest. 

Ben Youngs admitted he was looking forward to preparing for England’s showdown with Wales

‘They’ve had a good run, haven’t they?’ said England scrum-half Ben Youngs. ‘It’s going to be a great two weeks.

‘This is what the championship is about. There are always certain games it comes down to. We are going to embrace it and enjoy the big build-up. 

‘We have a few days to get away from camp and spend time with the families, then when we get in on Wednesday, we will build it up. We will take every game as it comes but certainly this one is hugely exciting.’

Youngs believes that England are becoming a more consistent side during this phase of Jones’s tenure, while adding an extra dimension in attack. 

‘English rugby is about set-piece and obviously a physical defence,’ he said. ‘Then you need some gold dust in the back line to unlock teams and I think Elliot (Daly), Sladey (Henry Slade) and Jonny (May) have been able to do that in the last couple of weeks.’