FORMER Thornbury Broncos and current England star Billy Vunipola faces a battle to be fit to play any part in the RBS 6 Nations Championship next season after undergoing knee surgery that has ruled him out for at least three months.

The Saracens number eight, who played at Thornbury as a youngster and attended Castle School in the town, sustained torn cartilage at the end of the first half of Saturday's 27-14 victory over Argentina at Twickenham and had to be driven off the pitch on a medical cart.

"Billy's been absolutely fantastic for England over the last 11 months and we wish him a quick recovery," England head coach Eddie Jones said.

Vunipola's absence begins with the match against Australia on Saturday, when England will seek to amass a record-equalling 14th successive Test victory.

It is a savage blow for the world Player of the Year, who has been a revelation since Jones took control of the team last November, and he could miss the entire Six Nations with the best-case scenario for his recovery seeing him return to play in early March.

Until his knee was damaged as England defended their line against the Pumas, he had been outstanding once again and there is now a void at the heart of the Grand Slam champions' back row.

"Billy has been a very influential player in the set-up and there's no doubt he'll be missed for the game against Australia, but where there's an injury there's an opportunity for someone else," Jones said.

"We've had five or six front line players missing throughout the series so I've no doubt we'll adapt and work that little bit harder this week.

"I'm sure the players will respond to this by going up a level and peak for this game."

Nathan Hughes is set to replace Vunipola at number eight, although the Fijian-born Wasps player is nursing an ongoing foot problem and must be assessed by England's medics.

Additional options are Josh Beaumont and Jack Clifford with both players included in a squad of 33 summoned to the squad's Surrey training base.

It is Clifford's first appearance in camp this autumn after ankle surgery threatened his involvement in the series until he made his comeback in Harlequins' 21-20 victory over Bath on Sunday.

The 23-year-old was concussed in the Aviva Premiership clash at Twickenham Stoop, however, and must observe the return to play protocols before he can be considered for selection.

Joe Launchbury is present despite his two-week ban for kicking an opponent, while Mike Haley replaces Elliot Daly, who was sent off against Argentina and faces a disciplinary hearing on Monday.