FORMER Thornbury Broncos players Mako and Billy Vunipola have been named in the England squad today.

No 8 Billy, 20, has been named in the Saxons squad for the first time, but will train with the Elite Player Squad, which Mako remains a part of, in the lead up to the Six Nations.

Saracens prop Mako, who turns 22 this Sunday, made his England debut against Fiji in November and brother Billy has been tipped to follow in his footsteps after some impressive performances for Wasps in the Aviva Premiership this season.

Despite the two-year age gap, Billy has never been far behind Mako, winning early call-ups to both the England under-18s and under-20s squads, where they played together.

Both of them grew up in Thornbury and went to The Castle School.

The last time two brothers represented the senior England side was against Italy in February 2010 when Delon and Steffon Armitage played.

More reaction in tomorrow’s Thornbury Gazette newspaper