Manu Tuilagi is world class... we're happy to have someone of his calibre on our side, says England prop Mako Vunipola

Mako Vunipola has welcomed back team-mate Manu Tuilagi into the England fold, describing the bulldozing centre as a 'game changer'.

Tuilagi re-joined the England squad on Monday after proving his fitness to head coach Eddie Jones with an impressive, 80-minute display for Leicester against London Irish on Sunday.

The 24-year-old made his last international appearance in June 2014 against New Zealand - with groin, hamstring and disciplinary problems since curtailing his involvement for England.

Manu Tuilagi is back in the England squad after a long absence away due to injury and disciplinary problems

Tuilagi's England team-mate Mako Vunipola has welcomed the return of the powerful centre

Vunipola has hailed the 24-year-old Tuilagi as a 'world class player' and as a 'game changer'

Tuilagi, who has scored 11 tries in 25 tests for England, is in contention for a Test comeback against Wales in the Six Nations on March 12 and Vunipola is delighted at the Samoan-born star's return.

'It is always great and he's a world class player. Manu is obviously known for being a game changer and we knew that as a squad,' Vunipola told Sportsbeat.

'He's a different player to what we've got anywhere really, so it's very hard to stop him when he's on form - he's just one of those impact players.

'Just having him around has been good. I think he brings that bit more calmness to us as players, he's a very relaxed man anyway, so it's very good to see him around.

'You definitely feel a lot better that he's on your team and not the other team.

'We're very happy to have someone of his calibre on our side.' 

Tuilagi is in contention for a Test comeback against Wales in the Six Nations on March 12 at Twickenham

Tuilagi runs with the ball during England's training session at the University of Bath on Tuesday