Billy Vunipola starts for Saracens at Newcastle Falcons

Billy Vunipola will make his first Saracens appearance since October

Billy Vunipola has been named in the Saracens starting line-up for Sunday's Aviva Premiership trip to Newcastle.

Vunipola has been selected at No 8 for the game at Kingston Park after recovering from ligament damage sustained in England's win over Argentina in November.

If he proves his fitness, the world player of the year nominee will come into contention for the final two rounds of England's Six Nations title defence.

"I'm really excited to be back out there this weekend. I'm feeling refreshed, the body feels great and I'm ready for what will be a really tough game up in Newcastle," said Vunipola.

"I'd like to thank the whole medical team, especially our physio Laura Tulloch and our head of performance Phil Morrow, for their support throughout my time out."

Vunipola's brother Mako is also named in the starting XV while Scotland international Sean Maitland returns on the wing after recovering from a rib injury.

Kelly Brown will make his 150th Saracens appearance if introduced from the bench.

Newcastle make four changes to the team that lost at Exeter with Mark Wilson restored to the back row after missing the trip to Sandy Park through illness.

Kyle Cooper and Jon Welsh return to the front row with Juan Pablo Socino named at inside centre alongside Dominic Waldouck.

Vunipola has not played since suffering knee ligament damage against Argentina in November

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Dominic Waldouck, 12 Juan Pablo Socino, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Joel Hodgson, 9 Sonatane Takulua; 1 Rob Vickers, 2 Kyle Cooper, 3 Jon Welsh, 4 Calum Green, 5 Evan Olmstead, 6 Mark Wilson, 7 Will Welch (c), 8 Nili Latu.

Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Ben Harris, 18 David Wilson, 19 Ally Hogg, 20 Callum Chick, 21 Sam Egerton, 22 Mike Delany, 23 Chris Harris.

Saracens: 15 Duncan Taylor, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Brad Barritt (c), 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Alex Lozowski, 9 Richard Wigglesworth; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Schalk Brits, 3 Juan Figallo, 4 Michael Rhodes, 5 Jim Hamilton, 6 Jackson Wray, 7 Joel Conlon, 8 Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: 16 Jared Saunders, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Petrus Du Plessis, 19 Mark Flanagan, 20 Kelly Brown, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Max Malins, 23 Nathan Earle.