I’ll treat Billy like a prince

EDDIE JONES has vowed to treat Billy Vunipola like royalty in order to get him to the World Cup in one piece.

The luckless England star is still coming to terms with breaking an arm for the third time in 10 months.

His wretched run of misfortune has sparked fears that the country’s most influential forward might not even make it to the tournament in Japan.

Jones said: “I only have him for nine weeks between now and July but, in that time, we will look after him like he is the king’s baby.”

Vunipola has managed just three Test starts in two years and missed the entire Lions tour. The Saracens star, 25, now faces another three months out while his left arm mends. “Billy has strong beliefs and he will get through,” said Jones.

“I cannot control what he does at Sarries but they look after their players well.

“We trust them to do a great job.”

With Billy’s prop star brother Mako also out of the four-test autumn campaign, Jones admits England will have to change their playing style. “You don’t replace those two, they’re special players,” said Jones (right).

“We are going to have to change things around. I feel more sorry for the players because you couldn’t coach two nicer boys and Billy’s had a nightmare run.

“You could see he was just starting to get back and now he’s had another setback and he’s got to fight through it again.”

Jones is pinning his hopes on Chris Ashton. “It’s a nobrainer to have him in the squad,” said the Australian.

“He’s a try scorer, he’s a brilliant support player and he’s hungry. Apart from Owen Farrell, I don’t think I’ve seen a hungrier player.”