"Bad news for Dombrandt" - Billy Vunipola's surprise England recall set to the confirmed

If he is on track with his rehabilitation, the strong number 8 will likely be included in the squad ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Zach Mercer, who currently plays in France, is another player competing for the same position as Vunipola.

However, according to the i, Vunipola recently had a conversation with Borthwick, who was present at Saracens' victory over Northampton on Saturday.

This discussion has presented a potential opportunity for the 30-year-old to add to his 68 international caps.

Vunipola addressed rumours of a previous row with Borthwick, when the latter was an England assistant, in an interview with the , saying: “It came at a time when we’d been in camp for a long time.

"We didn’t really have a fall-out, we had different ideas and I was young and immature and what I said came out the wrong way.

"For people to say that this was the reason why Steve dropped me is not correct. I wasn’t killing it last autumn [when he was left out by Eddie Jones] and I realised that I simply needed to get better.”

Below are some players who were not involved in the Six Nations but have the potential to strengthen England's squad.

The 70-times-capped, 6ft5in and 126kg England lock returns to Harlequins this summer having originally joined the Harlequins Academy as a 15-year-old playing for affiliate clubs Worthing and Horsham, staying with Quins until the age of 18 when he moved to Wasps.

Earning his Premiership debut as a teenager, Launchbury was named the Premiership’s Young Player of the Year award for the 2012/13 season.

The 31-year-old went on to establish himself as one of the premier locks in the country, becoming one of the most capped second rows in English history and going on to be named Wasps’ Club captain.

In a perplexing journey marred by injuries, Elliot Daly has emerged as a resilient force, navigating a tumultuous four-year cycle that kicked off with his transfer to Saracens amidst the infamous salary-cap scandal.

Since 2019, Daly's defensive capabilities have noticeably strengthened, but it is his instinctive synergy with Farrell that holds immense value for Borthwick's plans.

The undeniable bond between Farrell and Daly is an intergural asset that England must tap into, whether deployed as a formidable 10-13, 10-11, or 10-15 partnership.

The back-rower from London Irish has been in outstanding form for the Exiles this season, excelling in every aspect of the game.

Although Borthwick will have numerous choices in the back-row, Pearson's ability to play in all three positions and his reliability in the lineouts make him a valuable asset.

Pearson is a tough defender, and he also performs well in the breakdown, averaging over one turnover per match in the Premiership.

The 23-year-old, who has been playing for Bordeaux after leaving Wasps is one of the finest back-row prospects in the country and will join Saracens next season.

The former England Under 20’s captain will spend the remainder of the season in the Top 14, and then make the move back to the Gallagher Premiership in the summer on a long-term deal.

Willis spoke only last month about his ambition of playing for England together with his brother.

He joined Harlequins from Leicester Tigers for the 2019/20 season.

The flanker enjoyed a stellar rise in the closing stages of the 2015/16 season, making his senior debut for Leicester Tigers against Gloucester. He went on to make 26 appearances for Leicester, eight as a starter.

A standout for England at youth level, Evans was named in the U20 World Championship Dream Team in 2016. He was a member of England’s senior EPS squad of 45 back in 2016 at the tender age of 19.

Evans made 21 appearances in his debut season with Harlequins and added a further 16 in his second season in the club where he finished the Premiership season with more turnovers (29) than anyone other player.

Injury denied him a chance to feature in the Premiership Final for Harlequins, but the flanker played a pivotal role in their journey to the showpiece event.