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Vunipola and Watson back in contention for England

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Anthony Watson and Mako Vunipola are both back in the fold for England after being named as part of Eddie Jones’s 34-man group ahead of the Guinness Six Nations clash with Wales on Saturday.

Anthony Watson and Mako Vunipola are both back in the fold for England after being named as part of Eddie Jones’s 34-man group ahead of the Guinness Six Nations clash with Wales on Saturday.

Loosehead prop Vunipola missed the victory over Ireland last time out after returning to Tonga for family reasons, while flying winger Watson has recovered from a calf problem.

Watson has yet to appear in the 2020 Guinness Six Nations but his recovery has progressed and he will look to stake a claim for a back-three spot – with Bath teammate Jonathan Joseph having made his first international start on the wing against Ireland in what was his 50th England appearance.

Vunipola, who also missed the Round 1 defeat to France with an eye injury, will compete with the likes of Joe Marler and Ellis Genge for the loosehead berth that he possessed for the Round 2 win in Scotland.

Exeter Chiefs scrum-half Jack Maunder has received his first call-up since the 2017 summer tour to Argentina – where he won his solitary international cap – while Sale Sharks back-rower Mark Wilson continues his comeback from a knee injury with a spot in camp.

England are still well in the hunt for the Championship title after recovering from an opening-round defeat to France with impressive wins over Scotland and Ireland and will welcome Wales to Twickenham on Saturday afternoon.

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), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Sale Sharks)

Backs: Elliot Daly (Saracens), Ollie Devoto (Exeter Chiefs), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Maunder (Exeter Chiefs), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Jacob Umaga (Wasps), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)