Eddie Jones

England number eight's progress pleases head coach Eddie Jones

The hard-running Saracens number eight scored England's try in their series-levelling 25-17 win in Brisbane.

Returning to the squad after a 15-month absence, Vunipola has reminded head coach Jones what he can do.

"Billy is getting fitter. He has a while to go but we are pleased with his progress," said Jones.

"We picked him on the back of his improving club form and he's got better, and with us he is getting fitter and his commitment to be the best player he can be is improving too."

Eddie Jones names squad for three-Test series in July

Harlequins number eight Alex Dombrandt is injured so Vunipola, who last played in the 2021 Six Nations, returns.

Scrum-half Care is named but England's most capped male player, Ben Youngs, does not travel with the squad.

The first Test is in Perth on 2 July, followed by matches in Brisbane on 9 July and Sydney on 16 July.

Care, 35, won the last of his 84 caps in 2018, but played for England in the 52-21 non-cap loss to 14-man Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday.

'Nothing's ruled out with Manu': The difference Tuilagi is making

The English host Wales this Saturday in a must-win Guinness Six Nations encounter and their planning has been emboldened by having the services again of Tuilagi, who missed the opening matches versus Scotland and Italy.    

Tuilagi damaged his hamstring when scoring against the Springboks in November and the injury required an eleven-week layoff before he returned to Gallagher Premiership action for Sale. With 80 minutes accumulated from two league appearances, he was called up by England for last week’s fallow week training camp in London. 

Sir Clive Woodward slams Eddie Jones' decisions after England defeat

Scotland beat England 20-17 at Murrayfield on Saturday (Sunday NZ time) after trailing 17-10 in the final quarter.

Woodward questioned six critical calls made by Jones, most notably his decision to replace starting flyhalf Marcus Smith after 63 minutes with England in the lead.

But the coach who guided England to the Rugby World Cup doubted there would be a "no-holds barred inquest" at England's Pennyhill Park training HQ.

Eddie Jones blasted for 'sexist' Emma Raducanu comments

Jones has found himself in hot water with English tennis figures for his views on the way 18-year-old Raducanu has handled her instant fame since winning the US Open.

Jones was asked how his outstanding young first-five Marcus Smith could handle the public pressure and acclaim, and he used Raducanu as an example - of what not to do.

“There’s a reason why the young girl who won the US Open hasn’t done so well afterwards,” Jones said as British media jumped on the issue.

Coach takes blame for England's Six Nations loss

The fired-up Scots deservedly took the plaudits with their first Twickenham win for 38 years but the game was a tale of woe for the toothless defending champions and the only saving grace was that there were not the usual 82,000 fans in the famous old ground to witness it.

Scotland wing Duhan Van Der Merwe crossed for the only try but the scoreboard the flattered England.

The hosts never looked remotely like scoring a try and barely entered the Scots' 22 all match.

The visitors enjoyed 63 percent possession and 59 percent of the territory.

Eddie Jones names 28-man England Six Nations squad

Paolo Odogwu and Harry Randall receive their first call-ups to the senior team, both having played for England at U20 level.

Owen Farrell will captain England for the tournament and there is a return from injury for Courtney Lawes.

Elsewhere, Elliot Daly and Anthony Watson could reach their 50-cap milestones during the championship and Beno Obano may be in line to get his first cap.

England head coach to miss start of Six Nations training camp as isolating

Jones and attack coach Simon Amor have been identified as close contacts of Proudfoot and must self-isolate for 10 days.

In a statement, the Rugby Football Union said Proudfoot was not displaying any symptoms of the disease.

The England squad are due to meet at St George's Park on Wednesday, 27 January to prepare for the Six Nations.

The rest of the England staff are scheduled to arrive two days before that, with Jones and Amor attending meetings virtually.

Eddie Jones intent on brazenly luring Hoskins Sotutu to England

Sotutu – who also qualifies for Fiji through his father, former Fiji and Blues player Waisake Sotutu – has been groomed as a future All Blacks star after a series of dominant performances in the Blues’ unbeaten start to the season.

New Fiji coach Vern Cotter is reportedly hopeful of luring Sotutu but now England have come knocking as well, according to The Telegraph.

Jones is no stranger to recruiting players from Kiwi Super Rugby, having selected Piers Francis while he was at the Blues in 2017 and former Hurricane Brad Shields.

Mako Vunipola has singled out the best coach he has ever worked with

The prop has been a key figure under Jones, helping England to reach the World Cup final last year.

Jones, who took over as head coach in 2015, signed a new deal earlier this month which will keep him in the role until the end of the next World Cup in 2023. Vunipola believes Jones allows his players to play their natural game and that he is the perfect man to lead the side forward.