Billy Vunipola backed to torment Scotland in Calcutta Cup clash by England coach Dean Richards

Dean Richards is backing Billy Vunipola to torment Scotland in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash at Twickenham.

The Saracens No8 was last night drafted into the 30-strong England squad to face the Scots after signalling his return from knee surgery by playing 72 minutes against Newcastle yesterday.

It was initially predicted Vunipola would miss the entire Six Nations but he returned three weeks early.

After watching Vunipola in action in Sarries’ 35-27 win, former England No8 Richards said: “He is incredibly strong and on his day the best in the world. No one in world rugby can touch him.”

Vunipola, who is joined in the squad by fit-again Bath wing Anthony Watson, said: “[England] training is tough but Eddie [Jones] always says it will prepare you for a game.”

“I had three months where I had the time of my life.

“I had some good fun, met a lot of people and socialised a lot – now I just have to turn it down a bit. I’ve just been socialising and a doing a lot of chilling.

“I think I went in the chryo chamber once, maybe twice because I had to. I just tried to stear clear. Every time they told me to go in, I took all my kit off, stood around for a bit and pretended like I had been in – changed then went home.

“It’s nice to be back in the mix. A lot of people when they are away from the game they don’t miss mauling and don’t miss scrummaging, but I think I did.”