Beers and banter got us to Grand Slam says Mako Vunipola

Mako Vunipola has revealed why being handed personal responsibility by new boss Eddie Jones helped England’s players achieve a first Six Nations grand slam since 2003.
Vunipola, one of five Saracens to feature in last week’s clincher in France, reckons being released from the claustrophobic confines imposed by previous boss Stuart Lancaster encouraged England to relax and play near to their potential.
“Eddie puts a lot more responsibility on you as a player,” prop Vunipola, 25, told The Rugby Paper. “You have a meeting with the coaches where they tell you what you need to learn and improve on, but then it’s on yourself to do that and be proactive.
“I’m not criticising Stuart Lancaster because he took over in different circumstances after the 2011 World Cup and there was a big emphasis on changing the culture, but Eddie’s a bit different and since he’s come in the whole environment has changed.  There has been a lot more emphasis on team bonding which showed on the pitch where we were willing to go out and fight for each other. Having a beer was part of it, but we went out to the cinema and did other things as well.
“It was a really enjoyable eight weeks to be together as a team. It’s that culture where even though we’re fighting and playing together, we still enjoy each other’s company.
“Eddie got it just right and we grew as a team from the start to winning a Grand Slam. We wanted to be the most dominant team in Europe and we’ve done that, but now we move on to the next step and must be even better for the summer tour.”
He added: “Australia will see it as a challenge to prove they are still top two in the world, so we’re going to be the underdogs but we’re excited by that challenge.
“We want to keep improving and Eddie’s told us that nobody is guaranteed a place on the summer tour.
“The message from day one was there was a lot of potential in this England team but we have to keep improving to earn selection. I aim to keep putting my hand up.”
Mako’s younger brother, No.8 Billy, 23, was one of the stars of England’s show and proved to be another beneficiary of the more enlightened regime employed by the Jones.
Vunipola, who believes his sibling is now a genuine Lions contender for 2017, said: “Billy’s obviously been given a lot of responsibility and he’s thriving on that. He’s been held accountable as a senior player and he stood up in the Six Nations and played really well.
“I’m proud and really happy for him and the pleasing thing was to see him in training day-in, day-out and really enjoying himself. I’m a bit biased, but he was definitely one of the players of the tournament and hopefully other people will recognise that.
“The Lions in New Zealand is a long way off yet but he’s had a great tournament and, hopefully, he’ll carry on that form for Saracens and into England’s summer tour. You never know with Lions selection but he’s definitely putting himself into the mix for it.”
Vunipola started against France but played second fiddle to Joe Marler during the first four Six Nations matches. He is keen to be back in action for Saracens now as the Allianz Park outfit ramp up their bid for a Premiership and Champions Cup ‘double’.
“All our England boys are ready for the final push and I’m very excited,” Vunipola said. “Some of us didn’t get as much rugby as we’d have liked during the Six Nations so I want to get back in there now, keep improving and look to finish the season really well.”
According to Vunipola, no one is keener to impress than winger Chris Ashton, who is available again this week after serving a ten-week ban during the Six Nations for gouging which denied him an immediate chance of resurrecting his England career under Jones.
Vunipola explained: “It’s been tough on Ashy but, fingers crossed, he’ll be back in the form he was beforehand and if he plays well the England coaches will recognise it.
“He’s desperate to get back out there. He’s like a little kid in training and it’s just frustrating for him. It’s been a long ten weeks for him and a big loss to the team.
“He’ll be back this week and he’s a man on a mission. We want to see him out there because he’s proven as one of the best wingers in Europe.”
NEALE HARVEY