Vunipola trio to depart Saracens
LYON, FRANCE - MAY 14: Mako Vunipola (L) and Billy Vunipola (R) of Saracens celebrate with the trophy after the European Rugby Champions Cup Final match between Racing 92 and Saracens at the Stade de Lyon on May 14, 2016 in Lyon, France. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Saracens players Billy, Mako and Manu Vunipola are to leave the North London club at the end of the current campaign.
The trio have amassed a combined 500 appearances with Mako joining in 2011, Billy arriving from Wasps in 2013 and Manu making his debut as a teenager in 2019.
Brothers Mako and Billy won five Premiership titles with the club as well as three Champions Cup trophies, with Billy scoring a crucial try in the final of the 2019 competition against Leinster.
Their cousin Manu also featured in the second leg of their Championship triumph in 2021 alongside the duo, and whilst none played in the final of last year’s Premiership success they all received a medal for their efforts through the season.
Paying tribute to Billy, Mark McCall said: “To watch Billy develop into a world class number eight and a thoughtful, supportive team mate has been a privilege for us all.
“He has contributed enormously to the progress we have made as a club. On the field his intuition and amazing skill set combined with his competitive spirit and physical attributes made him a force to be reckoned with.
“Off the field Billy was sensitive to the needs of the group and a fantastic mentor to many younger players.”
The number eight amassed 75 caps for his country in a more than decade-long career, with Mako achieving four more in a similar time frame beginning a year earlier.
Billy played a key role in England’s 2016 Grand Slam triumph whilst Mako went on three British and Irish Lions tours in 2013, 2017 and 2021.
“Few players change how their position is played,” McCall added. “Mako’s all-around skillset, rugby intelligence and physicality made us – as coaches – rethink what’s possible from a loosehead prop.
“Mako has achieved a phenomenal amount in the game; three Lions Tours, multiple England caps and being central to all Saracens has created.”
With the brothers set to depart for Montpellier in the Top 14, New-Zealand born Manu is rumoured to be on his way to Japan to play for Mie Honda Heat.
Just being involved once for the club was enough to make Manu proud of his time at the StoneX Stadium, and he is grateful to all at Saracens for giving his career an ideal launchpad.
“I started as a young 14 year old in the academy and can proudly say I’ve played a senior game for this team which was always a dream of mine,” Vunipola said.
“I’m so thankful for the memories I’ve made here, so thankful to the players who’ve helped me past and present and to the fans who have been patient with me and supported me, thank you.”
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