Fitness doubts over Joe Marler and Mako Vunipola have prompted an 11th-hour call to Bath’s Nathan Catt to fly to New Zealand as cover.

Marler has a strained hip while there are fears Vunipola will be unavailable to tour because of a knee injury sustained in the Heineken Cup final. With Alex Corbisiero staying at home to work on his general fitness this summer ahead of next year’s World Cup campaign, Marler is next in line to start at loosehead prop against the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday week. There are clearlyconcerns, however, about his ability to train once the squad arrive in New Zealand, hence the decision to send for the uncapped Catt.

Saracens have yet to confirm the fullextent of Vunipola’s injury but it seems highlyunlikely he will play against Northampton in the Premiership play-off final.If he is unable to play, that leaves Wasps’ Matt Mullan and Catt as the only fit loose-heads heading for New Zealand, although Marler’s hip problem was described as “slight” by the head coach Stuart Lancaster prior to the squad’s departure from Heathrow.

Leicester’s Fraser Balmain has been called up to the squad to face the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday.

There was better news regarding Owen Farrell, who has been declared fit for this weekend’s Aviva Premiership final as well as England’s tour.

The fly-half suffered a sprained ankle after tripping over a television cable in Cardiff last Saturday but has been cleared to play for Saracens against Northampton at Twickenham.

Skipper Steve Borthwick will also be available to participate in his final game before he retires from playing and becomes Japan’s forwards coach. Borthwick says he expects to be in his new role until 2016 working alongside Eddie Jones, the former Saracens and Australia head coach.