Billy Vunipola ruled out of England’s clash against Australia

England number eight Billy Vunipola has been replaced by Thomas Waldrom in the squad preparing for Saturday's QBE International against Australia because of concussion.

Vunipola took a blow to the head in Saracens’ 31-24 Aviva Premiership defeat by Northampton on Sunday and has been ruled out of contention against the Wallabies.

The number eight was dropped for the 28-9 victory over Samoa at Twickenham – Ben Morgan started in his place – and was unlikely to figure in the climax to the autumn. "Billy will undergo the graduated return to play protocol at his club," read a statement released by England.

Stuart Lancaster is "cautiously optimistic" that lock Courtney Lawes will be available for Saturday after hyper-extending his knee against Samoa,