Saracens snap up Billy Vunipola and James Johnston

As revealed by Neil Fissler in The Rugby Paper back in December, Billy Vunipola will team up with his brother Mako next season after the barn-storming Wasps No.8 agreed “long-term” contract to join Saracens.

But the North-London outfit didn’t stop there as they also secured the signing of Harlequins tighthead James Johnston for next season.

Johnston, who was born in New Zealand, has played 61 times for Harlequins – winning the Premiership title last season – and won seven Test caps for Samoa.
In addition, England pair David Strettle and Mako Vunipola are among 10 players to have committed their futures to Saracens.
Winger Strettle and prop Vunipola were both named in Stuart Lancaster’s squad for the 2013 Six Nations last week.
Richard Wigglesworth, Eoin Sherriff, Will Fraser, Ben Spencer, Nils Mordt, Duncan Taylor, Ben Ransom and James Short have also signed extended deals.
The news was announced just seven days after coach Mark McCall and most of his staff extended their contracts with Saracens until the summer of 2015.
A short statement on their website, London Wasps said the club was “incredibly disappointed” by Vunipola’s decision to quit the club.
The 20-year-old, who made his first-team debut in 2011, has made 30 appearances for Wasps and was named last week in the England Saxons squad after an impressive start of the season which saw him become Wasps’ starting No.8.
Wasps will give a full response to his decision on Tuesday.