LONG READ Why the renaissance man Billy Vunipola is Montpellier's inspiration

Two years ago this week was probably the low point in Montpellier’s modern history. The Mediterranean club had finished 13th in the Top 14 – just two years after winning the title – and were playing Grenoble for the right to remain in the elite. With three minutes remaining they were trailing 18-17 to the ProD2 club in what the French call the Barrage d’accession. Then they were awarded a penalty. Had Louis Carbonel missed Montpellier would have been relegated and perhaps imploded the way Biarritz and Beziers have in recent years.

One man keeping a close eye on that match was Billy Vunipola. The Saracens and England No 8 had inked in a two-year deal to play for Montpellier, and he can’t have much fancied the idea of Thursday night rugby in towns he’d never heard of. With the greatest of respect, Nevers and Mont-de-Marsan are no Toulouse and Bordeaux.

Vunipola was himself in the doldrums in June 2024. A few weeks he had been splashed across the world’s media after footage was broadcast of an altercation with police in a Majorca bar. Vunipola, who was tasered in the incident, pleaded guilty to resisting the law and wounding, and he received a four-month suspended prison sentence.

In a recent interview with Midi Olympique, Vunipola reflected on that period on his life, saying his actions had been those of someone “very unhappy”. His England career was petering out and he felt frustrated and useless. It was the rage of a sportsman against the dying of the light. He went to Majorca for a few days rest and recuperation, and everything came to a head. “It always ends badly when you mix alcohol with your emotions,” explained Vunipola. “After that, I wanted to become another person.”

So in a sense the Montpellier deal couldn’t have been better timed. Vunipola had agreed terms with the club the previous March, but when news broke of his arrest one or two English newspapers wondered if Montpellier might call off the move. No, came the response from the club, “All is well,” said a source. “No one in France is talking about it.”

A few weeks later it was Montpellier’s turn to be nervous about the deal falling through. Bernard Laporte, the club’s director of rugby, revealed recently that he “warned” Vunipola that they could be relegated. To which the Englishman replied: “Bernard, I’m not coming to play in the Top 14. I’m coming to play for Montpellier. If we get relegated, we’ll bounce back.”

Like Vunipola, Wilkinson moved to France (in 2009) when his career appeared to be tailing off. It felt like one injury after another and the Top 14 was almost the last roll of the dice.

Laporte told the anecdote at a presentation ceremony last month at Montpellier’s Septeo Stadium. In front of the club’s faithful, Vunipola received an award for his outstanding performances from Midi Olympique. Laporte hailed his No8 as belonging to “the breed of greats”.

He added: “I’ve had the chance to rub shoulders with some truly great players in my career, but he’s in a league of his own. A paragon of humility, self-reflection, and hard work.”

Among the ‘greats’ that Laporte has coached is Jonny Wilkinson. The pair worked together a decade and a half ago at Toulon, when the club achieved the unprecedented feat of winning three consecutive Champions Cup titles.

Like Vunipola, Wilkinson moved to France (in 2009) when his career appeared to be tailing off. It felt like one injury after another and the Top 14 was almost the last roll of the dice.

Leaving his comfort zone of Newcastle – his club of 12 years – regenerated Wilkinson and Montpellier has done the same for Vunipola after 11 years with Saracens. We are witnessing, according to a recent headline in Midi Libre, the local paper, “the Renaissance of Billy Vunipola.”

It might also have something to do with the climate. Montpellier is the sunniest city in France with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year. Who wouldn’t feel chipper drawing back the curtains each morning?

From the moment he arrived at the club, Vunipola has altered the Montpellier mindset. As Laporte said, he’s done it through humility and hard work. Last month Montpellier trounced Ulster 59-26 in the final of the European Challenge Cup and Lenni Nouchi hailed the Billy effect. “He’s a hell of a role model,” said the French Test loose forward. “Since he arrived, he’s brought a sense of calm that’s good for everyone. “He’s a true leader, not just on the pitch. We’re really proud to have him.”

I had to prove to everyone in this dressing room that I didn’t come here for the money. Nor to settle down and enjoy the twilight of my career. At 33, I’ve still got it in me!

As much as Vunipola is a team player, the Challenge Cup win was also a personal triumph. “I had to prove to everyone in this dressing room that I didn’t come here for the money,” he said. “Nor to settle down and enjoy the twilight of my career. At 33, I’ve still got it in me!”

He’s also got the possibility of more silverware this season, a Top 14 winners’ medal to go with the Challenge Cup. Montpellier finished second behind Toulouse in the regular season and on Saturday they play Stade Francais in the semi-final in Marseille.

Stade Francais have also had their problems in recent years. They finished 12th last season after battling their way out of a relegation dogfight. One of the stars this season has been Louis Carbonel, the fly-half who saved Montpellier’s bacon two years ago, but their most formidable asset is their set-piece.

Stade Francais crushed La Rochelle 45-5 on Sunday in a horribly one-sided quarter-final. Next up are Vunipola’s Montpellier.

It will be the sort of match he lives for, one of bone-shaking intensity, a close-quarter confrontation between sixteen huge men. With the backs looking on.

Whatever the outcome Vunipola will be back next year for another season with Montpellier. He decided to pen just a one-year extension because he likes the challenge of always having to prove his place. “I don’t want to sign a long contract and become comfortable,” he explained.

Vunipola may not like feeling comfortable but he certainly looks settled in his new club. Montpellier is more agreeable than Majorca.