England feel the pressure despite being underdogs, says Vunipola

BILLY VUNIPOLA insists the heat is still on England to deliver a victory against Ireland despite travelling to Dublin as underdogs.

The No8 is in line to make his first Six Nations appearance since 2017 at the Aviva Stadium following a year plagued by injuries.

His 130kg power game will inject physicality into the visiting pack, although 2018 Grand Slam winners Ireland remain-odds on favourites.

‘The pressure is never off when you’re with England,’ said Vunipola (left). ‘If we lose it’s “Eddie out”. We’re never not under pressure.

‘Even being in St Albans, the first time I walked in there people thought I was a bus driver. Now they know who I am and it’s scary how time goes on and the exposure we get as a team. There’s definitely pressure. If we win it’s “well it’s about time they turned up”, if we lose it’s “right, who’s out’? That No8 is rubbish.” If someone drops one ball it’s “get him off, I don’t know why he’s in there”. The scrutiny with England is intense.’

With the exception of winger Joe Cokanasiga, Jones should have all of his powerhouse players available for Saturday’s tournament opener.

The combination of Vunipola, Manu Tuilagi and Ben Te’o could help England smash their way over the gain line, with Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt preparing for ‘bruises’.

‘When you’ve got Billy hitting, then Mako Vunipola coming around the corner, then you’ve got the next headache. It might be Maro Itoje coming around the corner, then you go across flat to Manu Tuilagi running a reverse angle. I’m just thinking of bruises, really,’ said the Kiwi.

Vunipola added: ‘You know that Mike Tyson quote, you might have a plan until someone punches you in the face. So we can plan all we want, and the same goes for Ireland, but if we hit them and

we shock them, that will put us in a good position.

‘It is a daunting task, but one of the biggest jobs we have is fighting them on that mental battle. They want to wear you down and get a positive on the pitch and have their fans climb on top of you and make you think that a mistake is worse than it is.

‘Everyone can beat everyone. It gets boring if someone is always in the final. New England Patriots, everyone hates them because they’re always there. That’s the difference with the Six Nations.’