England forward Mako Vunipola takes advice from brother Billy in attempt to earn World Cup recall

England prop Mako Vunipola is taking advice from brother Billy in an attempt to win back his place in time for the World Cup.

The Saracens forward made substitute appearances in each of England's matches in the Six Nations after missing the tour of New Zealand and autumn internationals due to injury.

Younger sibling Billy lost his place under Stuart Lancaster during the autumn series but reclaiming his spot to start all five Six Nations games in the coveted number eight position.

Vunipola senior is one of seven props in the 50-man training squad ahead of the showcase tournament and the 24-year-old wants to follow his brother's lead by forcing his way back into the reckoning.

"Me and my brother live together, we can't really talk that much but if there is something to be said we'll say it but we tend not to say much to each other," he explained.

"I've been talking to coaches and they say 'I need to do this and this like your brother has done'. So I've kind of lent on him and asking 'how have you done this' so kind of, a little bit.

"I look out for my brother and you can see how the coach rewards you; if you're in form and playing well then you're rewarded and that has always been the case. For me it is about going out there and training hard and playing as well as I can for my club.

"I've done that this season and now I am in this wider squad and I've got to train harder again and try and make the Denver flight and it will be a case of if I play in the warm-ups of putting my hand up and showing what I can do."

Dan Cole, Kieran Brookes, Alex Corbisiero, Joe Marler, Matt Mullan and David Wilson represent Vunipola's competition for what could be five of the 31 places in Lancaster's squad, which must be confirmed by the 31 August deadline.

After travelling to Denver for altitude training in the United States, England face France in back-to-back matches prior to the squad announcement, before taking on Ireland in September.

Despite only being at the conditioning stage of their preparation, Vunipola admits to already being anxious over the selection.

"You can't help but feel anxious anyway going into camp," he added. "You're there with the best of the best in the country and you're always nervous and that pushes you a little bit more.

"At the moment there a lot of us and there is not much being given away, not much rugby being done. For us as players, it is about trying to make those gains in the gym. At the moment, there is not much being done rugby wise."

Mako Vunipola was appearing alongside his England teammates at the launch of the innovative England Rugby World Cup shirt #CommittedtotheRose. Visit Canterbury.com.