Billy Vunipola is a giant of English rugby. Born in Australia to Tongan parents, he qualified for England through residency and he’s been almost an ever-present for the national side since his debut in 2013.
Billy Vunipola came to the UK at a young age after his father signed for Pontypool RFC in 1998. After gaining a scholarship for Harrow School during his youth, he joined the Wasps Academy and signed a professional contract with the club. He then made his first-team debut for the side in 2011 and became an established player over the next two seasons, before he left to join Saracens in 2013.
During his time at Saracens, Billy Vunipola has been an unstoppable force. He’s won the Premiership four times (2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019) and he has also helped the side win the Heineken Champions Cup in 2016, 2017 and 2019.
Due to the success he has enjoyed at Saracens, Billy Vunipola has been capped more than 60 times by England in the past decade. During this period, he’s won the Six Nations Championship on several occasions and was also central to England’s campaign as they reached the final of the Rugby World Cup in 2019.
On top of this, Billy Vunipola was also selected for the British and Irish Lions tour of 2017 alongside his brother, Mako Vunipola. However, due to an ongoing shoulder injury, he was forced to withdraw from the squad before the tour began.
With many of his best years still ahead of him, we can’t wait to see what else Billy Vunipola can achieve in the game of rugby, both for Saracens and for England.
Billy Vunipola enhanced his World Cup prospects during England’s tour of Australia but the Saracens number eight insists he must sway Eddie Jones all over again as the autumn comes into view.
Billy Vunipola sealed his recall for England’s series against Australia next month after producing what Eddie Jones viewed as a Test-calibre appearance in Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership final.
England 
Saracens 
England 
Saracens 