Mako and Watson return for Wales clash
MAKO VUNIPOLA and Anthony Watson are back in contention for England’s Six Nations match against Wales at Twickenham. Prop Vunipola has returned from Tonga, where he went with injured brother Billy two weeks ago for family reasons. After the win against Ireland, Eddie Jones said he did not expect Mako to be ready for the Wales match on Saturday, but the 29-year-old is included in a 34-man squad. Watson is fit again after a calf injury to boost England’s back-three options, but Jack Nowell is still not ready to play.
In a departure from his previous squads, Jones has called in a third scrum-half. Exeter Chiefs’ Jack Maunder will train with England alongside Ben Youngs and Willi Heinz. Maunder, 22, won his only England cap off the bench in Argentina in 2017. Maunder is behind Australian No 9 Nic White in the pecking order at Exeter and has not started a league game since December. Meanwhile, Chris Ashton has been linked with a mid-season move to Harlequins after Sale announced yesterday that he had been released with immediate effect. The 32-year-old wing had become unsettled and a decision was made at the end of last week to terminate his contract. Ashton’s close friend Danny Care hinted on social media that the prolific finisher would be joining him at Quins. The Saracens exodus continues with Australia lock Will Skelton agreeing to join La Rochelle at the end of the season. England second row George Kruis is understood to be on the verge of a deal with Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan. Saracens’ England hooker Jack Singleton is set for a loan move to Gloucester, while Springbok prop Vincent Koch is likely to switch to Sale. New Wales centre Nick Tompkins will follow Liam Williams to the Scarlets, Ben Spencer is understood to have signed for Bath and Max Malins is expected to head to Bristol on loan. Leicester confirmed yesterday England scrum-half Youngs has signed a deal to stay at Welford Road — as reported by Sportsmail — along with brother Tom.