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Tag: Billy Vunipola

My simple way to stop threatened player walk-out

8 October 2017 0 comments

Natural break: Wasps’ Guy Armitage is tackled by Ospreys’ Joe Thomas as he runs in to score in last season’s Anglo Welsh Cup PICTURE: Getty […]

Sam gets tipped for England call-up

8 October 2017 1 comment

EXETER forwards coach Rob Hunter would be delighted to see No.8 discovery Sam Simmonds force his way into England contention as Eddie Jones aims to […]

Cain column: Players have not been consulted over extending the season

5 October 2017 0 comments

By Nick Cain PLAYERS and coaches in the Premiership have started to align in their resistance to the World Rugby blueprint for a ten to […]

Top 14 eye Gray and Clifford

1 October 2017 1 comment

HARLEQUINS duo Joe Gray and Jack Clifford, who are both out of contract at the end of the season, are being touted around France. Gray, […]

Deane’s putting rangy Rio through the ringer

24 September 2017 0 comments

NEALE HARVEY talks to former Quins hard man Mel Deane about his job coaching Rio Ferdinand Mel Deane used to pack one hell of a […]

Jeff Probyn: Hate to say it, but Worcester are looking doomed already

20 September 2017 0 comments

There is no substitute for playing the game, try as you might and no matter what you do, nothing matches actually playing the game. At […]

Jeremy Guscott: Vunipola has made a vital point that must be discussed

20 September 2017 0 comments

If any Premiership player makes a comment containing the words ‘strike action’ it’s a big statement, but it’s gigantic when it’s a player of Billy […]

‘Suits’ must heed Vunipola warning

17 September 2017 0 comments

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO: The Rugby Paper, Tuition House, St Georges Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU email: [email protected] I READ the comments from Billy Vunipola this […]

Farrell’s signature is worth weight in gold

12 September 2017 0 comments

Owen Farrell‘s statement of intent by signing a five-year contract at Saracens will ensure the rest of the club’s highly prized stars stay put, according […]

Agony of final loss will help us next time says Haskell

27 August 2017 1 comment

Nick Verdier talks to a Wasps player eager to help end the club’s trophy drought Lessons learned: James Haskell believes Wasps have acquired mental strength […]

‘World class’ Vunipola flying again – Sanderson

30 July 2017 2 comments

Rested: Billy Vunipola BILLYVunipola is ready to brush off his Lions disappointment and reassert his position as the world’s dominant No.8, according to Saracens coach […]

Dream Team: Matt Everard – Nottingham captain

10 July 2017 0 comments

1. Simon McIntyre – I was lucky to play with him at Wasps coming through the ranks at the same time. He’s that new breed […]

Playing ‘tour’ games at home will solve problems saysWray

9 July 2017 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY SARACENS chairman Nigel Wray reckons staging Lions ‘tours’ within the British Isles would offer a radical solution to the rancorous issue of […]

Faletau came of age, going toe to toe with Read

9 July 2017 1 comment

JEREMY GUSCOTT OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE… EVERY WEEK Consistently brilliant: Taulupe Faletau IT’S been one hell of a series and no-one involved with this Lions team […]

How come the back row didn’t suffer jet-lag?

4 June 2017 1 comment

OUTSPOKEN AND UNMISSABLE…EVERY WEEK JEREMYGUSCOTT Will and commitment: Ross Moriarty THE post-match interviews from Warren Gatland and his players were just about palatable – they […]

As dress rehearsels go, this was far better than mob of 1971

4 June 2017 2 comments

BRENDAN GALLAGHER BRENDAN GALLAGHER VERDICT Oustanding condition: Kyle Sinckler The opening matches of Lions tours are hurdles to be cleared not mountains to climb and […]

Nick Cain: Of course Billy’s a loss, but others will step in

1 June 2017 0 comments

The wailing and gnashing of teeth over Billy Vunipola’s withdrawal from the Lions tour party to New Zealand due to a shoulder injury has been […]

Haskell on track for a Hollywood ending!

28 May 2017 0 comments

By NICK VERDIER LIONS tours usually include a fairytale story along the way and Welsh legend Scott Quinnell reckons the 2017 version will have James […]

Big Billy out of Lions tour

23 May 2017 0 comments

Billy Vunipola has withdrawn from the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand due to an ongoing shoulder injury. The Saracens No.8 had been […]

Billy can take No.8 play to a new level!

21 May 2017 0 comments

Lawrence Dallaglio tells NEALE HARVEY how Billy Vunipola can usurp Kieran Read as world leading No.8 Lawrence Dallaglio Blockbuster: Billy Vunipola on the charge against […]

King Billy of Europe!

14 May 2017 0 comments

Vunipola inspires Saracens to superb double Champions Cup triumph By NEALE HARVEY Mac-nificent: Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt lift the Champions Cup at Murrayfield with […]

Ref Owens makes it tougher for Cup heroes

14 May 2017 1 comment

Clermont 17pts Tries: Lamerat 27, Abendanon 52 Conversions: Parra 28, 54 Penalties: Parra 60 Saracens 28pts Tries: Ashton 13, Kruis 22, Goode 73 Conversions: Farrell […]

NICK CAIN’S PLAYER WATCH…

14 May 2017 0 comments

CLERMONT 1. RAPHAEL CHAUME Did his duty at the scrum, and did not stint at close quarters Rating: 6 out of 10 2. BENJAMIN KAYSER […]

Sarries awake from siesta in nick of time

30 April 2017 1 comment

By NEALE HARVEY SARACENS spent the early part of the week sunning themselves in Barcelona and it took a full 45 minutes for them to […]

Billy and I can mix it up in back row says Faletau

28 April 2017 0 comments

Taulupe Faletau insists he will have no qualms switching to flanker for the Lions if it means starting alongside his cousin and No.8 rival, Billy […]

Saracens show ruthless streak to stem tide of Foley’s red army

23 April 2017 0 comments

By NICK CAIN Powering over: Mako Vunipola charges through Keith Earls for the opening try PICTURES: Getty Images OWEN Farrell was determined not to leave […]

Rowntree: Quick ball essential to beating All Blacks

23 April 2017 0 comments

FORWARDS guru Graham Rowntree knows the Lions will have to match New Zealand up front if they are to win their second consecutive tour but […]

Twickenham rout ‘will cost Scots their Lions places’

29 March 2017 0 comments

Former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton fears his countrymen’s 62-21 Six Nations thrashing by England has dashed any hope of significant Lions representation this summer. Improved […]

Ton-up Louw hopes to do a number on Sarries

26 March 2017 2 comments

BATH are challenging strongly for a return to the Premiership play-offs and Francois Louw has urged his teammates not to let such an opportunity slip […]

Saracens v Bath

26 March 2017 1 comment

Today. Kick-off 3pm. Allianz Park PREVIEW… SARACENS are poised for yet another Premiership semi-final but they’ll be desperate to see off Exeter for second place […]

Vunipola set for England return

8 March 2017 0 comments

Billy Vunipola will make his England return on Saturday after being named in Eddie Jones’ 24-man squad. The Saracens No.8 is one of 13 forwards […]

Vunipola back in England camp

6 March 2017 0 comments

Billy Vunipola has returned from injury to re-join the England squad. The No.8, who played 70 minutes for his club side Saracens on Sunday, has […]

Harlequins snap up Wasps tighthead

22 February 2017 0 comments

Harlequins have signed Wasps tighthead Phil Swainston ahead of the 2017/18 season. Swainston has made over 80 appearances for Wasps since he joined them from […]

Jeremy Guscott’s verdict: Te’o and Care’s cameos may force Eddie’s hand

8 February 2017 0 comments

Ben Te’o offered more of a threat in the final 12 minutes than the entire back division in the 68 preceding it. Along with the […]

Brendan Gallagher: Play Itoje and Daly in their natural positions

8 February 2017 0 comments

Sometimes we can get carried away and expect too much from out young players with their extravagant talents encouraging us to believe they can automatically […]

Dream Team: Jack Wallace – Bristol full-back

6 February 2017 0 comments

1. Kyle Trainor – Fantastic leader who brings his international experience to the squad. Very vocal and very much a player who leads by example. […]

Jack Clifford’s back to press his claim for a starring role

16 December 2016 0 comments

Jack Clifford believes he has returned stronger and fitter than ever following an eight-week injury lay off that forced him to watch his England team […]

Billy will be back in even better shape says Brits

7 December 2016 0 comments

Schalk Brits is confident Billy Vunipola will come back an even stronger force thanks to the Saracens rehabilitation programme that has swung into action following […]

Vunipola out for at least three months

29 November 2016 0 comments

England and Saracens have been dealt a huge blow with the news that Billy Vunipola has been ruled out for at least 12 weeks with […]

Dream Team: Marco Mama – Worcester flanker

28 November 2016 0 comments

1. Mako Vunipola – Val Rapava-Ruskin could be in the same league soon, but Mako is a hell of a player, very consistent, has international […]

Jeremy Guscott: Daly puts his marker down to remind Joseph he has to be on top form to come back

16 November 2016 0 comments

One of the best measurements of the quality of Eddie Jones‘ performance as England head coach has been that almost every selection has worked out […]

Sarries must be humble and earn victory – Billy Vunipola

14 October 2016 0 comments

This season Saracens start the defence of their title as champions of Europe, and, as the first holders to win every game, it begins at […]

Dream Team: Ross Chisholm – Harlequins full-back

10 October 2016 0 comments

1. Joe Marler – I grew up playing with Joe at Haywards Heath where I was a year below him. He’s very good all-around whether […]

Billy Vunipola knows it’s not only Nathan Hughes gunning for his jersey

8 September 2016 0 comments

Rapidly-maturing Billy Vunipola says he will relish the competition from Wasps‘ counterpart Nathan Hughes as he bids to take his game to new levels. No.8 […]

Dream Team: Tom Catterick – Newcastle fly-half

22 August 2016 0 comments

1. Mako Vunipola – I played England age goups with him and he’s an all-round ball carrier. He’s a proper scrummager and a grafter too. […]

Dan Leo’s crusade to improve deal for Pacific Islanders

17 August 2016 0 comments

Dan Leo, founder of Pacific Rugby Players Welfare, reckons the contingent of England players with Island origins will rocket over the next decade. England’s latest […]

Harrison replaces Haskell in England XV

23 June 2016 0 comments

Teimana Harrison will start in England‘s back row for the third Test against Australia in Sydney. The Northampton flanker is the only change to the […]

Premiership final teams

27 May 2016 0 comments

Saracens v Exeter Saracens: Alex Goode; Chris Ashton, Duncan Taylor, Brad Barritt (c), Chris Wyles; Owen Farrell, Richard Wigglesworth; Mako Vunipola, Schalk Brits, Petrus Du Plessis; […]

Danny Care boy destined to get ton up says Nick Evans

13 May 2016 0 comments

Livewire Danny Care will become England‘s most capped scrum-half and the first to win a century of caps, according to Harlequins teammate Nick Evans. Care, […]