GENGE UP FOR SIX NATIONS...& CAPTAINCY!

BRISTOL director of rugby Pat Lam is confident Ellis Genge will be ready for England's Six Nations campaign despite his long-term hamstring injury.

- ADAM HATHAWAY

Prop Genge is not expected to play before the opener against Italy in Rome on February 3, but Lam reckons he will ready for action - and the captaincy if needed.

England's loosehead prop situation was complicated when Mako Vunipola was hit with a four-match ban yesterday for a dangerous tackle in Saracens' clash with Newcastle on Saturday.

That means Vunipola will not be seen before the tournament, with head coach Steve Borthwick due to name his squad on January 17.

Joe Marler, who injured his arm playing for Harlequins at the weekend, is expected to be fit, but other looseheads Bevan Rodd, of Sale, and Gloucester's Val Rapava-Ruskin are long-term casualties.