Mako Vunipola will play for Saracens in four days despite England axing him for Six Nations over coronavirus fears

MAKO VUNIPOLA will play for Saracens in four days' time - despite England not welcoming him into their Six Nations camp over coronavirus fears.

Eddie Jones has taken the extreme decision to axe the 29-year-old prop after he flew back from Tonga via virus-hit Hong Kong.

Government guidelines are relaxed about people not showing symptoms, just like Vunipola.

But England's doctors advised it was best he wasn't part of the group training to take on Wales at Twickenham.

So instead, the 29-year-old will now play for Saracens against Leicester Tigers on Saturday.

Saracens said: "Billy Vunipola and Mako Vunipola returned to Saracens after visiting family in Tonga, which included a short stop at Hong Kong Airport.

"Travellers returning from Hong Kong are not currently subject to mandatory quarantine or self-isolation unless they become symptomatic.

"Neither Billy or Mako have displayed symptoms of the coronavirus and on their return to London were assessed by the club’s medical staff.

"The duo have been around the Saracens environment for the past couple of days, with the latter available for selection this weekend.

"Saracens will continue to follow the Public Health England and World Health Organisation regulations surrounding coronavirus and the medical staff will be closely monitoring Billy and Mako on a regular basis."

England forwards coach Matt Proudfoot was cagey over the issue when asked about it on Tuesday and insisted: "I can guarantee you it is not coronavirus."

The South African added: "Mako is not with us now.

"He has got a medical issue so he won't be available for the weekend. It is just something medical so he is out for the weekend.

"We were excited to have him back, he is a great presence and a very experienced player, but we have have great depth in our looseheads and they have been playing well.

"It is a medical issue, it's between him and the doctor."

After being confronted on the issue England finally admitted that they had taken the extreme precaution and were going above and beyond the official advice.

An RFU spokeswoman added: "Mako is not in camp on medical grounds. He is not sick, but it is a precaution."