England head coach Steve Borthwick says Billy Vunipola’s apology for the pair’s falling out in 2019 is “an indication of his character”.

Borthwick has now chosen Vunipola for the primary time, making him the only real quantity eight in his World Cup squad.

“I am delighted he’s right here within the squad,” Borthwick advised BBC Sport.

Requested concerning the revelations Vunipola made to the Telegraph, Borthwick stated: “It’s a signal of his character to be so open and sincere publicly with the best way he was considering.

“From my viewpoint, I feel it could have been made into an even bigger concern than it was in actuality. Now we have at all times saved in touch and I am wanting ahead to see him run on the market at Twickenham on Saturday.”

Vunipola has not performed for England since November 2022, when he was chosen by Borthwick’s predecessor Eddie Jones.

He’ll win his 69th cap in opposition to Wales on Saturday after being neglected for choice by Borthwick on this 12 months’s Six Nations.

Ben Earl, Tom Curry and Lewis Ludlam can all play at quantity eight however Borthwick seems set to rely closely on Vunipola’s highly effective ball-carrying and defensive expertise when the event begins in France subsequent month.

The England head coach says Vunipola calls for “monumental respect” and added that he has been impressed by his performances in coaching.

“I’ve checked out him during the last variety of weeks and I feel he’s in improbable situation,” he added.

“I feel he feels good and powerful and that provides him the very best alternative to play properly. That is his first time again in an England shirt for some time, as it’s for various gamers.”He’s coaching onerous each day at a normal different gamers look as much as. They’ve monumental respect for Billy.”

England start their World Cup marketing campaign in opposition to Argentina in Marseille on Saturday, 9 September.