Mako and Billy Vunipola
The sons of former Tongan international Fe’ao Vunipola have been engrained in Saracens and the England national team for the last decade. The unmistakable Mako and Billy Vunipola have been apart of all of Saracens’ defining successes, winning three Heineken Champions Cups and five Premiership Rugby titles each.
The duo have also each won the Six Nations Championship on three occasions, (2016, 2017 & 2020) and were part of Eddie Jones’ England team that reached the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final. Older brother Mako is 32-years-old, with Billy recently turning 30. However, both players have been included in Steve Borthwick’s winder training squad ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Mako was considered a guarantee to run out at the tournament in France, yet the omission of Billy Vunipola came to surprise rugby pundits and fans alike. The voluntary withdrawal of Sam Simmonds opened up a space in the England back-row, which the 64-capped Billy Vunipola would gladly occupy.
Both Mako and Billy could well retire with Saracens in the coming years, yet the Vunipola name will continue at the North London club. Their cousin Manu Vunipola is taking great strides at the Stone X Stadium, with the 23-year-old expected to lead the line at fly half in the not so distant future.