Billy Vunipola

Vunipola had been nursing the injury throughout the Aviva Premiership while playing for Saracens.

England backrower James Haskell will replace Vunipola and will join the camp following the Premiership final this weekend.

Vunipola, who was born in Australia, has played 34 tests for England and was expected to be the starting number eight for the Lions in their three-test series against the All Blacks.

Lions coach Warren Gatland said he was disappointed for Vunipola, who had been looking forward to joining the squad

Eddie Jones' side clinched the Six Nations title on Saturday by trouncing Scotland 61-21 at Twickenham and now stand one victory away from a second Grand Slam in succession and surpassing the All Blacks' 18-game tier-one world-record winning run.

England must beat Ireland in Dublin next weekend to achieve those goals and Vunipola, who returned from injury as a replacement against Scotland, is eager for the team to continue improving as they seek to replace the All Blacks at the top of the rankings.

The 24-year-old British and Irish Lions tour certainty had been out since November with a knee injury, but he showed no ill effects in a 72-minute performance in Saracens'  35-27 win over the Newcastle Falcons on Monday (NZ Time)

Vunipola's display had English media outlets speculating that he could be recalled to Eddie Jones' England squad for next Sunday's Six Nations game against Scotland.

Saracens built up a big lead at Newcastle before the Falcons rallied with two late tries before stalling in their bid to win two bonus points.