#3. MAKO VUNIPOLA
Born in New Zealand but raised in Wales and Gloucestershire, the prop was educated at the prestigious Millfield School and made his professional debut for Bristol Rugby before joining Saracens’ Senior Academy in 2011.
Since then he has gone from strength to strength in north London, amassing over 200 appearances, including 50-plus in Europe, and has been an integral part of the club’s success domestically and in Europe.
Vunipola’s explosive carrying, stable scrummaging and fly-half-esque play in the loose has led him to be just as important for England as well as Sarries, with 70 caps for his country. The loosehead made his international bow in 2012 and has since won back-to-back Six Nations titles.
His high-level performances have seen him represent the British & Irish Lions on three tours (Australia 2013, New Zealand 2017, South Africa 2021).
Mako comes from a rich vein of rugby talent. His father and uncle played for Tonga while cousin Taulupe Faletau has been capped by Wales and British & Irish Lions. Brother Billy is a Saracens and England teammate and younger cousin Manu made his senior Sarries debut in the 2018/19 campaign.
