FORMER Thornbury ace Billy Vunipola has said he is ‘honoured’ to be named in England’s 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup, which was announced on Thursday afternoon.

Vunipola, who played at Thornbury as a teenager and attended Castle School, has made it to the squad with his brother, prop Maku.

He will be challenging for the England number eight position with Dursley’s Ben Morgan, who was also named in the squad ahead of Harlequins’ Nick Easter.

Vunipola tweeted: “Hugely honoured and relieved to be selected to play for @EnglandRugby at @2015_RWC We will give it our all and thank you for the support.”