FORMER Thornbury Broncos ace Billy Vunipola has dropped a bombshell on England by declaring himself out of the RBS Six Nations.

Vunipola, who was at his old club with brother Mako last Saturday, has been suffering from a knee injury and was still limping at the weekend.

He will be assessed by England medical staff on Tuesday and there was talk about him returning for England's last match in the tournament against Ireland.

But Vunipola told the Gazette: "I think that is a bit premature at the moment. I still have a few weeks to go.

"I think it will be tough for me to put pressure on myself so it is probably a bit unfair to say I will come straight back into the fold.

"There is a lot of work for me to do and, up to this point, the physio team and the strength and conditioning group have done a great job.

"So I shall keep my head down and when I am back, I am back but I am not expecting to walk straight back into the England team."

Indeed, Vunipola said it is doubtful he will even be running again for around two weeks, let alone up to Test match fitness.