Wasps flanker Billy Vunipola in England under-18s squad to face Italy (From Gazette Series)

Wasps flanker Billy Vunipola in England under-18s squad to face Italy

12:35pm Thursday 4th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

FORMER Castle School pupil Billy Vunipola has been named in the England under-18 squad to face Italy in Calvisano on Sunday.

The powerful London Wasps flanker returns to the fold after recovering from an ankle injury sustained in the 30-28 win over Australian Schools in December.

Vunipola missed the 33-16 win against France at Newbury last month as England extended their run to 14 international victories since the summer of 2007 but looks set to start this weekend.

Head coach John Fletcher said: "We wanted to give a start to all the players in the games against France and Italy before playing Wales and the two Festival games against Scotland and Ireland in April.

"We've made a good start to the season and while we know we've still got things to work on, I'm confident we'll iron those out over the next four games."