Six Nations: Mako Vunipola excited at prospect of playing alongside brother Billy

Mako Vunipola admits a 'massive dream' will be fulfilled if he plays alongside his brother Billy for England on Sunday.

Stuart Lancaster's side put this season's only unbeaten Six Nations record on the line against Italy at Twickenham.

Saracens prop Mako has been used as a replacement in all three victories so far, while Wasps No 8 Billy, whose form at the start of this campaign saw him fast-tracked into the England training squad for the tournament, is eyeing a Test debut.

Mako told Sky Sports News: "I think it's been a massive dream of ours and our family as well, both of us playing for England.

"Obviously the team's not been announced but we'd love to be both involved at the weekend and hopefully the family will be there to support us."

He added Lancaster's team are raring to go, saying: "We're feeling confident at the moment, the team are happy where we are at the moment but I think we still feel as a team and a squad that there's more to come from us.

"And that's the exciting thing about having a weekend off, a lot of the boys are keen and raring to go on Sunday."

Bond

The brothers could have chosen to play for Tonga or Wales. Asked how close they were to picking a different country, Billy added: "I think Wales was always in the back of our minds, just because we grew up there, we had quite a bond with quite a few people over there.

"But I think to play all our adult rugby here, it's just right to try and represent England."

Billy is amazed to be in the England squad alongside his brother, just over a year after being hospitalised by a rare viral infection in his lower back.

The Wasps ace ended up missing four months of last season after the infection led to discitis and then a catalogue of misfortune.

Billy contracted pneumonia while he was in hospital and he also suffered severe burns in a hot-water bottle accident as he tried to ease the pain in his lower back.

"I was in hospital for quite a long time so to be sat here now (alongside Mako and in the England squad) is quite unbelievable," said Billy, who will join his brother at Saracens next season.