Billy Vunipola will miss England’s final Test of the autumn campaign against their World Cup pool rivals Australia with concussion, leading to a recall for Exeter’s New Zealand-born back-row Thomas Waldrom.
Vunipola was absent from Saturday’s 28-9 victory over Samoa with Ben Morgan starting at No8 and having suffered concussion during Saracens’ defeat to Northampton over the weekend, the 22-year-old has been omitted from England’s 34-man squad.
Waldrom has not played for England since the 2013 Six Nations victory over Ireland in Dublin but he has impressed with the Chiefs since his summer move from Leicester Tigers, scoring seven tries in eight Premiership matches.
The fly-half Stephen Myler returns to the squad following a hamstring strain but his Northampton team-mate Courtney Lawes is struggling with a knee injury and will continue to receive treatment with England.