Manu Vunipola looks like he is on course to follow in the footsteps of cousins Billy and Mako into the England set-up.
The 20-year-old Saracens fly-half has produced two 15-point hauls in recent wins over London Irish and table-toppers Exeter Chiefs, and is proving to be an able deputy for Owen Farrell at the club.
With those sort of outstanding displays, it might not be long before he gets the opportunity to play a similar role for his country with Eddie Jones reportedly being a huge fan..
It’s now expected that he WILL NOT spend a season in the Championship, with the former England U18 and U20 international set for a season-long loan to newly promoted Newcastle Falcons.
According to RUCK sources, the fly-half was originally set to stay, but now on the cusp of international selection wants to push on next season in the English top flight.
Having won four caps at U18 level for England, he played eight times for England U20s in 2019, and was part of the squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship that year.
The 2019/20 season was a breakthrough campaign for Vunipola, also making his first Champions Cup outing for Saracens.
JOIN THE RUCK:
UPDATED | The full confirmed list of who’s leaving Saracens…
Joe Gray (Harlequins)
Liam Williams (Scarlets)
The blockbusting counter-attacker was due to rejoin the Welsh region at the end of the season but that has been brought forward.
Matt Gallagher (Munster)
The Irish-qualified full-back, 23, joined Munster in July h having had his first taste of Thomond Park in a Champions Cup pool defeat to Johan van Graan’s side on December 7.
Ben Earl (Bristol Bears – loan)
Jack Singleton (Gloucester Rugby – loan)
