FORMER Castle School pupil Mako Vunipola has been named in the British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia this summer.

The Saracens prop is one of ten English players selected in the 37-man touring party by boss Warren Gatland for one of the most prestigious invitational sport sides in the world.

England’s Dan Cole and Matt Stevens, Ireland’s Cian Healey and Wales duo Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones were the other props included, while Sam Warburton will captain the side.

Vunipola, who grew up in Thornbury and played for Thornbury Broncos, will also join up with his cousin Toby Faletau, the Wales No. 8. The 22-year-old only made his international breakthrough this season when he came off the bench to make his England debut against Fiji at Twickenham in October and has been an ever-present member of Stuart Lancaster’s matchday squad since.

He has won nine caps in total with his only start coming in the Six Nations victory over Italy.

Vunipola has also been a key member of the Saracens side that top the Aviva Premiership going into the last round of regular season games and reached the Heineken Cup semi-finals before being knocked out by Toulon on Sunday.

The Lions will start their tour with a game against the Barbarians in Hong Kong on Saturday, June 1.

They will then play nine games Down Under, including three Test matches against Australia, with the tour finishing at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday, July 6.

Gatland said: "We spent a long time selecting this squad and there were some close calls with a lot of competition for places. But ultimately we chose the players who will give us the best chance of a Test series victory.

“A Lions Tour to Australia only comes around once every 12 years and we believe we have the right balance in the squad to be successful.

"We have a tremendous challenge in front of us but I know the players will be dedicated to the adventure and task ahead."