Mako Vunipola ruled out of Autumn Nations Cup final against France

England prop Mako Vunipola has been ruled out of the Autumn Nations Cup final against France after failing to recover from a calf injury.

The Saracens forward sustained the injury in the 24-13 victory over Wales last week and was facing a race against time to be fit for the Twickenham showpiece.

The loosehead, 29, was initially picked to start for Sunday’s encounter, but Ellis Genge has moved up to replace him with Joe Marler being added to the bench.

‘Mako picked up an injury in last week’s game,’ said England’s attack coach Simon Amor.

‘We’ve given him every opportunity to recover for this one but unfortunately he hasn’t made it.’

Eddie Jones has picked a strong side for the tie but and are overwhelming favourites after France picked a team with over 30 leading players missing.

A deal struck between the French Federation and Top 14 meant Head Coach Fabien Galthie was only able to pick players for a maximum of three Tests, meaning Sunday’s XV is largely made up of international novices.

France team manager Raphael Ibanez admitted that condemnation of the Autumn Nations Cup Final as a ‘farce’ was justified after the much-depleted side was named.

ENGLAND TEAM TO FACE FRANCE

England XV: 15. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 46 caps), 14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 45 caps), 13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 33 caps), 12. Owen Farrell (C) (Saracens, 86 caps), 11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 60 caps), 10. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 71 caps), 9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 103 caps); 1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 22 caps), 2. Jamie George (Saracens, 53 caps), 3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 39 caps), 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 42 caps), 5. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 68 caps), 6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 27 caps), 7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 21 caps), 8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 55 caps).

Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps), 17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 71 caps) 18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 7 caps), 19. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 3 caps), 20. Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 7 caps), 21. Dan Robson (Wasps, 6 caps), 22. Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 2 caps), 23. Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 4 caps).