England’s former rugby powerhouse Mako Vunipola is shaking up the rugby world with talks of switching allegiance to the red jersey of Tonga.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Mako Vunipola: The Saracens Legend
With a rugby CV most players can only dream of, Mako has notched up 79 caps for England and featured in nine British and Irish Lions tests, including the memorable series in New Zealand and South Africa.
Known for his scrummaging power and surprising agility, the Saracens stalwart has been a cornerstone of club and country success for over a decade. However, following England’s quarterfinal exit at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Mako decided to step back from the international stage—at least in the white jersey.
Billy Vunipola: The Younger Brother and England Star
Mako might not be the only Vunipola exploring this Tongan dream. Younger brother Billy Vunipola, himself a towering presence with 68 England caps, has also been linked to a potential switch. The No. 8 is renowned for his powerful carries and relentless defensive work, and like Mako, he could bring a wealth of experience to Tonga’s squad.
Rugby in Their Blood
The Vunipola brothers come from a rugby dynasty. Their father, Feʻao Vunipola, captained Tonga in the late 1990s, earning 32 international caps. A revered figure in the sport, Feʻao’s leadership on and off the field inspired his sons to follow in his footsteps, albeit in England rather than Tonga initially. Feʻao also played in England for Pontypool and later became a respected mentor in Tongan rugby circles.
Mako’s Dilemma: “It’s a Catch-22”
When speaking to BT Sport, Mako shared his heartfelt thoughts about the possibility of representing Tonga.
“Obviously I’d love to play for them,” he admitted. “But it’s difficult because it would be unfair to those back on the island; to see myself as an old man coming in and taking that opportunity away from them.”
Balancing his personal dream with the aspirations of local players weighs heavily on Mako:
“It’s a catch-22 really. You’d like to see people not being tied down to one (country) and being able to represent those countries. But you’d also like locals to have the opportunity to make a better life for themselves by playing for their country and on the back of that getting contracts overseas.”
Book VIP Six Nations Packages, Hospitality and Premium Experiences from Seat Unique.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Popular referee Nigel Owens named rugby’s ultimate hardman
- Former England Rugby Star Feared Dead After Car Swept Away in Flood
- Sir Clive thought fly-half could be better than Wilkinson never fulfilled potential
- Glamorous South Africa Physio Accused of ‘Pitch Dark Arts’ Departs
- Six Nations fanbases ranked: Who tops the table and who falls flat?
Bookies Reckon This is the Lions Squad for the 2025 Aussie Tour – And Some Picks Will Surprise You
BACK-THREE (6)
The back-three boasts a dynamic mix, with Duhan van der Merwe and James Lowe bringing powerful running and finishing ability. Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are tipped to add youthful flair and speed, while Hugo Keenan and Darcy Graham round out the squad with their solid defensive skills.
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – 1/16
- James Lowe (Ireland) – 1/8
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – 1/5
- Tommy Freeman (England) – 4/9
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England) – 8/11
- Darcy Graham (Scotland) – 2/1
CENTRE (4)
In the centre, Bundee Aki is a strong favorite for his physicality, while Ollie Lawrence has made a name for himself with his impressive form. Sione Tuipulotu and Robbie Henshaw provide additional versatility and experience.
- Bundee Aki (Ireland) – 1/5
- Ollie Lawrence (England) – 1/4
- Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) – 2/7
- Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) – 8/11
FLY-HALVES (3)
The fly-half selection highlights Finn Russell’s creativity and flair, with Marcus Smith and George Ford both showcasing tactical nous and playmaking ability.
- Finn Russell (Scotland) – 1/10
- Marcus Smith (England) – 8/15
- George Ford (England) – 8/11
SCRUM-HALVES (3)
A competitive scrum-half group sees Jamison Gibson-Park favored for his quick service and decision-making, while Alex Mitchell and Ben White are both strong contenders.
- Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) – 8/11
- Alex Mitchell (England) – 11/10
- Ben White (Scotland) – 11/10
PROP (3)
The front row is anchored by stalwarts like Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter, while Ellis Genge and Joe Marler add depth and experience.
- Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) – 1/8
- Andrew Porter (Ireland) – 1/7
- Zander Fagerson (Scotland) – 4/11
- Ellis Genge (England) – 4/6
- Joe Marler (England) – 5/6
- Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) – 5/4
HOOKER (3)
With Dan Sheehan leading the way, the hookers are expected to be agile and mobile, crucial for the fast-paced style of play the Lions aim to adopt.
- Dan Sheehan (Ireland) – 1/10
- Jamie George (England) – 8/15
- Elliot Dee (Wales) – 6/5
LOCK (5)
In the locks, Maro Itoje remains a cornerstone, complemented by Tadhg Beirne’s athleticism and versatility.
- Maro Itoje (England) – 1/33
- Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) – 1/10
- Joe McCarthy (Ireland) – 4/6
- Ollie Chessum (England) – 8/11
- George Martin (England) – 11/10
BACK-ROW (6)
Finally, the back row combines experience and dynamism, with Josh van der Flier and Courtney Lawes bringing a wealth of international experience and physicality.
- Caelan Doris (Ireland) – 1/5
- Ben Earl (England) – 1/5
- Josh van der Flier (Ireland) – 1/3
- Courtney Lawes (England) – 8/15
- Tommy Reffell (Wales) – 4/6
- Rory Darge (Scotland) – 6/4
Rugby World Cup-winning captains – can you name them all?
Out of these exceptional leaders, some have claimed the title just once, while others have done so on multiple occasions. Captains from nations such as New Zealand, Australia, England, and South Africa are part of the exclusive list of multiple-time champions.
We challenge you to identify all Rugby World Cup-winning captains across the tournament’s history spanning 10 editions.
