Six nations
Another France player tests positive ahead of Scotland match
Sunday's game at the Stade de France was placed in doubt after 15 France players and staff previously contracted the virus, but tournament organisers had...
Ireland head to Rome hoping to avoid losing their first three games for the first time since the 1998 Five Nations - before Italy were added to the championship.
Marler's move, just three days after he was named in Eddie Jones' 28-man squad, leaves Ellis Genge as the only capped loosehead prop for England's tournament opener against oldest rivals Scotland at Twickenham on 6 February.
The decision puts a doubt over next weekend's scheduled third round of games and a meeting to discuss this year's Six Nations.
Almost a year to the day since England lost to South Africa in the World Cup final, a 34-5 win away to Italy in Rome saw them take the Six Nations title from France on points difference, despite Les Bleus' 35-27 defeat of Ireland later on Saturday.
The 35-year-old lock - who will win his 140th Wales cap to add to the nine Lions Tests he has played - breaks the record he held with retired New Zealand legend Richie McCaw.
Umaga, the nephew of former New Zealand captain Tana Umaga, was chosen after steering Wasps to last weekend's Premiership final, where they were beaten by Exeter.
The Georgians were included in the competition as replacements for Japan who withdrew because of fears over COVID-19.
The final matches of the Six Nations - Italy v Ireland and the full round of final games which were postponed due to the lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic in March - will be played on October 24 and 31 according to a proposed plan by World Rugby.
France were leading 7-6 at the time but eventually lost 28-17, with defeat ending their hopes of a Grand Slam.
England's governing Rugby Football Union stressed that the Saracens prop was 'not sick', with the 29-year-old Vunipola understood to have flown back from Tonga via Hong Kong.
The 7 March match between Ireland and Italy in Dublin has already been postponed but other matches will be maintained unless governments monitoring the spread of the virus decide otherwise, the organisers said.
Jones’s selections had come in for scrutiny after a 24-17 defeat in France and lacklustre 13-6 win over Scotland at Murrayfield but England were superb in the first half against Ireland and led 17-0 at the break.
Both teams are looking for their first win of the tournament after two defeats apiece, with the loser likely to end up with the wooden spoon this campaign.
Tournament organisers have played down reports the world champions could join an expanded Six Nations in 2024.
England, beaten by France in their opener, crashed to a 25-13 defeat at Murrayfield two years ago after players from both teams were involved in a scuffle near the tunnel after the pre-match warm-up.
A thumping win for defending Grand Slam champions Wales over Italy, Ireland grinding out a victory over Scotland, and France pulling the punches in defeating England.
The powerhouse back-row's latest injury was announced just hours before England coach Jones unveiled his 34-man group, with Vunipola having been a mainstay of the team that went all the way to last year's World Cup final in Japan before being beaten by South Africa.
Matt Proudfoot, a former Scotland international who helped South Africa win the World Cup last year before his contract as assistant coach ended, will replace Steve Borthwick as England’s forward coach, with the latter becoming the skills coach.