England’s hopes of winning a second successive Grand Slam have been given a major boost with the news that Billy and Mako Vunipola are both expected to be fit for what could be the Six Nations decider against Ireland in Dublin.

Prop Mako Vunipola is expected to return from a knee ligament injury against Italy on Feb 26, a game which is likely to see Dylan Hartley omitted from the starting XV in favour of Jamie George for the first time under head coach Eddie Jones, with Owen Farrell set to captain the side.

Jones is considering a number of changes following the 21-16 victory over Wales after confirming he will "experiment" against the Italians as he looks to tune up his side ahead of the games against Scotland and Ireland.

And he will be encouraged by the fact that Saracens No8 Billy Vunipola is now on course to return to fitness in time for that game having initially been ruled out for the entire tournament after suffering a knee cartilage injury in England's Autumn international defeat of Argentina.

“He might get back for Ireland - he’d be pretty useful off the bench, 150kg,” said Jones of Billy Vunipola, who has emerged as one of England's key players under the Australian.