England coach Eddie Jones has encouraged dropped star Billy Vunipola to "find the best version of himself" after the Saracens talisman was left out of his 45-man training squad on Tuesday.
Vunipola, 28, was one of five senior players omitted from an expanded England group set to convene for a three-day camp from Sunday as preparations get underway for the autumn internationals.
Older brother Mako was also missing from the squad, as were hooker Jamie George, fly-half George Ford and utility back Elliot Daly, as Jones shook up his options.
But the Australian tactician has implored those absentees to hit back and earn their places back in the team, assuring them the door to selection is not shut.
Jones, 61, rejected speculation Vunipola had been deemed too old compared to younger competition and told Sky Sports : "Age isn't a consideration here.
"Billy's got to find the best version of himself.
"I think he's going in the right direction at the moment. We'll see where he goes."
Vunipola was among the senior stars who remained with Saracens for last season's Championship campaign after the club was relegated in 2020 following numerous salary cap breaches.
Jones was in attendance at Ashton Gate on Friday when the back-row powerhouse was prominent in their Premiership -opening win over Bristol Bears, playing the full 80 minutes in a 26-9 victory for the guests.
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Performances like that will no doubt help Vunipola regain his spot and add to his 61 England caps.
Asked how those dropped stars reacted after being informed they wouldn't be a part of next week's training camp, Jones replied: "They're all massively disappointed.
"But the most important thing is how they respond now. That is the most important thing, is the response we see from them.
"Whether they go back and work harder at their game, get their game in really good condition and say 'Pick me'."
One potential blockade to Vunipola's hopes of a recall is Sam Simmonds, the Exeter Chiefs No. 8 who has been brought in from the cold more than three years after his last England cap.
Simmonds, 26, broke the Premiership record for tries scored in a single season after crossing the line 21 times as Exeter finished as runners-up to Harlequins last term.
Quins star Alex Dombrandt will also bring new competition at No.8 after earning his maiden Test cap in a 70-14 thrashing of Canada in July, with the 24-year-old among those named on Tuesday.
