Six Nations 2016: Wales wary of threat posed by England No 8 Billy Vunipola

The Saracens man has been in blockbusting form during the red-rose’s unbeaten start to the tournament

Billy Vunipola passes the ball during an England training session (Getty)

Wales’ forwards coach Robin McBryde believes the sheer physical presence of England back-rower Billy Vunipola will warrant close attention in the build-up to next week’s Six Nations showdown at Twickenham.

The Saracens No 8 has been in blockbusting form during England’s unbeaten Six Nations start. “He [Vunipola] is a big man, and in the first three games he’s been very effective for them as a ball-carrier. So we are going to have to target him,” McBryde said.

However, he warned: “Eddie [England head coach Eddie Jones] is quite a shrewd character. He probably knows teams are going to target Billy, so they will have Plan B up their sleeves. Billy has been as effective as he’s ever been.”

The match-up with Wales’ own in-form No 8 Taulupe Faletau, Vunipola’s cousin, promises to provide box-office entertainment. “I can’t speak highly enough of Toby,” McBryde said. “He has matured a hell of a lot, and he is still maturing as well.”

McBryde reported that Wales lock Luke Charteris, who missed the victory over France last week because of a knee injury and was replaced by Bradley Davies, is back running, with prop Gethin Jenkins “progressing well” from a calf muscle strain.

PA