Vunipola back in England squad after successful Saracens return

NEWCASTLE SARACENS 27 35

Billy Vunipola has been recalled to the England squad for the Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland after helping Saracens to a 35-27 victory over Newcastle at Kingston Park.

The 24-year-old No 8 played 72 minutes and looked full of energy on his comeback from a four-month injury lay-off. He was then named in England coach Eddie Jones’ 30-man training squad for Saturday’s match against the Scots.

However, Vunipola, who returned from his knee injury three weeks ahead of schedule, was upstaged in yesterday’s Premiership clash by stand-off Alex Lozowski, who contributed 20 points with two tries, two penalties and two conversions from five attempts. Lozowski was also named in Jones’ squad.

Saracens are now just a point

0 Billy Vunipola: Comeback. behind second-placed Exeter and six behind leaders Wasps, while Newcastle lost ground in their fading bid for a European Champions Cup spot.

Falcons had the encouragement of two early penalties from scrum-half Sonatane Takulua but Saracens lock Michael Rhodes marked his 50th appearance with the opening try, intercepting Takulua’s pass five metres out from the Newcastle line.

Lozowski nudged his side further ahead with a penalty before racing on to a grubber kick from Richard Wigglesworth to score their second try. Lozowski’s conversion made it 18-6 at the break. Chris Ashton finished of a spell of intense pressure to make it 23-6 before a forceful run from Dominicwaldouckearnedthe Falcons their first try on 56 minutes. But Lozowski sealed the win nine minutes later with his side’s fourth try and Nathan Earle added another five minutes later.

Newcastle grabbed converted tries through Vereniki Goneva and prop David Wilson to earn a bonus point.