#Six Nations: Billy Vunipola on family

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England bulldozer: 'I'm lucky I only had to deal with broken arms'

His father Fe’ao captained Tonga in the 1990s when several uncles also represented the national side. His cousin Toby stars for Wales, while Vunipola and his brother Mako are standout players for England.

But that hasn’t always made things easy, particularly during his early years.

Born in Sydney, raised in Wales and then England when the family relocated to the UK — Fe’ao had signed to play for Pontypool — the imposing number eight Billy describes his itinerant upbringing as “frantic,” adding, “we were never settled anywhere until we came to England.” Britain proved something of a culture shock.

“When we started setting up roots here, it was tough,” says Vunipola. “I remember our first few months in Wales we all just slept in the living room because we were used to being around each other. We just had duvets all over the floor.”

It’s an endearing image and one that’s difficult to picture today.

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Bulldozer

Vunipola tips the scales at 130 kg. He’s a bulldozer with the ball in hand, but has honed his game in recent years to develop defensive nous and subtle handling skills.

Brother Mako, meanwhile, two years Billy’s senior, is 9 kg lighter but equally adept in open play, eschewing the logic that prop forwards are supposed to focus solely on scrummaging.

Both will feature prominently in England’s upcoming Six Nation campaign, which gets underway in Dublin against Ireland on February 2, with Vunipola having recently returned from a long injury layoff that saw him suffer three arm breaks.

“My name’s on the sheet but I want to be back back,” he says. “I want to be playing and I want to be playing well.

“I’m lucky that I only had to deal with broken arms, you know. I can still walk and I can still play rugby. It just took time out. It wasn’t fun but I’m happy, I’m playing rugby and hopefully I can carry on.

“The Six Nations is probably the premier tournament outside the World Cup in terms of rugby, I would say, and in terms of viewership. The rugby that’s been played, the unpredictability of the whole tournament, just as a fan it’s exciting. As a player it’s even more exciting.”

After a disappointing fifth-place finish in last year’s tournament — for which Vunipola was absent through injury — Eddie Jones’ England side will be hoping for a much-improved Six Nations campaign with a World Cup on the horizon, and Vunipola’s return should give confidence in that regard.

READ: Why Georgia has rugby on its mind ahead of the World Cup

Brotherly love

Since making his international debut in 2013, he’s been a leading light in an England team that’s endured unprecedented high and record lows, as well as helping his club side Saracens amass silverware on domestic and European fronts.

A rugby career, he says, always seemed inevitable.

“I remember growing up and my dad trying to push us in the direction of being doctors or lawyers or anything he thought was a good job,” says Vunipola. “I’m not saying he was right or wrong but me and my brother always wanted to play rugby. We got our wish.”

The seed was sown when the brothers started to wrestle with a rugby ball in their living room in Wales or played mini games with their cousins outdoors.

READ: England’s women buzzing for Six Nations after groundbreaking deal

“Mako would be with Toby, who’s now at Bath, and I would be with Toby’s brother,” recalls Vunipola. “Every single time we played it was always me and Mako that had a fight.

“I was always the youngest of the four of us. They’d both hate it if I actually got a successful tackle on them. He’d usually start [the fights] and finish them, but I knew that I was getting under his skin when I’d tackle him or score a try.”

That rivalry has mellowed now, with Vunipola even admitting that his brother is the superior player: “He’s probably just a smaller, better, stronger version of me,” he says.

Humility is something Vunipola has acquired over time. He says that his rise to the top of the game — via a scholarship at prestigious English public school Harrow and the Wasps academy — gave him undue self-confidence.

READ: Rugby United New York prepares for its debut season

“If you keep hearing your name I guess subconsciously you just think you’re the man and that’s what I did. I thought I was more important than I actually was.

“I love seeing some of the young boys here at the club. You go in 50% and they go 100% and you get angry at them, but they do what’s right. I’ve actually learned a lot from the younger guys coming in.”

While his initial focus is having an injury-free run of games through the Six Nations, Vunipola admits that his thoughts can’t help but gravitate towards the World Cup in Japan later this year.

He was part of the England team that crashed out at the pool stages in 2015 — the first host nation ever to do so — and will be eager to right some wrongs in Japan.

“This is what you kind of prepare your whole life for,” he says, “I guess I didn’t understand that in 2015.”

“We’ve got a Six Nations coming up, but, you know, it’s something you can’t be afraid to talk about. It’s the World Cup, it’s massively exciting. It’s going to be a massive year for everyone.”

READ: How rugby players in Ireland prepare for retirement

Japan 2019

England’s opening match of the tournament — against Tonga — will divide the Vunipola household. Fe’ao won 32 caps for the South Pacific island and today works for the Tonga Rugby Union.

“I guess we’re his sons and he’ll want us to do well but you know deep down inside he wants Tonga to secretly get one over England,” says Vunipola.

“I know my mom will 100% be behind us and the rest of my family but my Dad will be a bit torn.”

Born in Australia, raised in the UK and crowned world champion in Japan? Vunipola’s story would enter another thrilling chapter if England were to defy the odds and lift the World Cup.

“The thing is I’m one of millions of people that think about winning in Japan and I guess I’m one of the millions that aren’t scared to talk about it,” he says.

“All these cliché things that you can sit here and say in an interview is correct for right now. It’s a dream.”

[thisdaynews]

England v Australia: Michael Hooper braced for breakdown battle

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England v Australia: Michael Hooper braced for breakdown battle

Rugby World Cup quarter-final: England v Australia Venue:Oita StadiumDate:Saturday, 19 OctoberKick-off:08:15 BST Coverage:Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and online with text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

Australia’s Michael Hooper says he is prepared for England flankers Tom Curry and Sam Underhill to try usurp him and David Pocock at the breakdown in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final.

Curry and Underhill said on Thursday it would be “surreal” to face two players they idolised growing up.

“It’s going to be a good battle,” said Australia captain Hooper.

“We’ve done our work on them. I think they’re great players. They are a top-tier international back row.”

Tom Curry and Sam Underhill have been dubbed the ‘Kamikaze Kids’ by England coach Eddie Jones

Pocock, 31, has announced he will retire from international rugby at the end of his third World Cup campaign, while Hooper, 27, will be playing his 99th Test when he takes on England in Oita.

Underhill, 23, and Curry, 21, have only 28 caps between them and will be starting together for just the fourth time.

England drop Ford and move Farrell to 10

I feel for Ford but it was inevitable – Matt Dawson column

Petaia, 19, to start for Australia

Old mates Jones and Cheika face off again

However, Hooper said that his and Pocock’s experience is not necessarily an advantage.

He added: “It’s great to have experience but also being youthful is of benefit. I have been in their shoes before, being wide-eyed, ready to attack things.

“The ruck is a great part of the game. It’s going to be, as always, a huge part of the Test match.”

Tale of four flankers Pocock Hooper Underhill Curry Age 31 27 23 21 Caps 82 98 12 16 Test debut Nov 2008 Jun 2012 Jun 2017 Jun 2017 Carries at RWC 2019 29 40 10 26 Tackles at RWC 2019 29 19 26 29

Frenchman Jerome Garces, who will referee the match on Saturday, was criticised for being too lenient at the breakdown by some South African punditsin the wake of the Springboks’ defeat by New Zealand on the tournament’s opening weekend.

Hooper, whose side struggled with discipline early in the tournament, is confident the Wallabies can now work with whatever interpretation the Frenchman brings to the contest.

“I have observed the ruck being refereed a multitude of ways, not any one way in particular. So, it’s made it quite tricky there,” he said.

“How we start the start the game and definitely adapt to what is going on out there is pretty crucial for us.”

‘We have been able to get out teeth into Australia’

England scrum-half Ben Youngs says the cancellation of their final pool-stage match against France because of Typhoon Hagibis had given them the chance to go into more depth in their analysis of the Wallabies.

Eddie Jones’ side will have had a fortnight out of action when they kick-off in Oita, with their last outing a 39-10 win over a 14-man Argentina on 5 October.

“We have been able to get our teeth into Australia earlier, look at their footage and the pattern we want to play,” said Youngs.

Henry Slade’s last competitive start was for Exeter in June

“We feel fresh and ready to go.”

England coach Jones has brought centre Henry Slade into the side as part of a backline reshuffle that saw pool-stage fly-half George Ford dropped to the bench and his preferred Six Nations 10-12-13 combination of Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi and Slade restored.

Slade’s last international start was in March with his recovery from a knee injury restricting him to replacement appearances against Tonga and Argentina since.

Tuilagi believes the trio can rediscover their best form immediately, though.

“Henry is massive for us,” he said.

“He can play, run, kick, he can do it all round, so for him to in our backline adds a massive part to our game.

“With Faz at 10, we have been together for a while and understand each other well. Hopefully that will come out tomorrow.”

Best in the family? Youngs jokes with Toomua

Itoje relishing calm before quarter-final battle

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Rugby Union Weekly’s Chris Ashton makes World Cup quarter-final predictions

Teams

England:Daly; Watson, Slade, Tuilagi, May; Farrell (capt), Youngs; M Vunipola, George, Sinckler; Itoje, Lawes; Curry, Underhill, B Vunipola.

Replacements:Cowan-Dickie, Marler, Cole, Kruis, Ludlam, Heinz, Ford, Joseph.

Australia:Beale; Hodge, Petaia, Kerevi, Koroibete; Lealiifano, Genia; Alaalatoa, Latu, Sio; Arnold, Rodda; Naisarani, Hooper (capt), Pocock.

Replacements:Uelese, Slipper, Tupou, Coleman, Salakaia-Loto, White, Toomua, O’Connor.

Quiz: Can you name England’s team from 2015 World Cup?

Knockout-stage rules

What happens if there’s a draw? If scores are tied at full time teams will play 10 minutes of extra time each way If there’s still no winner 10 minutes of sudden death will follow where the first team to score wins Finally if the scores are still tied a best-of-five place-kicking competition will take place

England v Australia rivalry

England and Australia have met 50 times. England have won 24 of those matches with Australia winning 25, a drawn game in 1997 completes the head-to-head record.

England and Australia have played each other six times in the World Cup, both sides winning three including a triumph each in the final: Australia beat England in 1991 at Twickenham and England exacted revenge in Sydney in 2003.

England have won their last six Tests against Australia, their longest winning run against their rivals. However, their last defeat against them came at the 2015 World Cup.

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Billy Vunipola says he often raises his performance levels when he’s with his brother

Catch up with Rugby Union Weekly at the World Cup

Fit-again Vunipola wants to ‘build England legacy’

Key player stats

England lock Maro Itoje won seven turnovers in the pool stage, the most of any player in the competition, despite playing just two games

Wing Jonny May will win his 50th cap for England – he is sixth on England’s try-scoring list with 25 tries, but only two of those have come in World Cup matches (v Wales in 2015 and v Argentina in 2019)

Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie has scored a try in each of his three World Cup games, only Will Greenwood has scored in more consecutive games at the tournament for England (four in 2003)

Australia’s Samu Kerevi beat 20 defenders across three appearances in the pool stage, the most of any centre in the competition and more than England’s top two centres combined (Manu Tuilagi nine, Jonathan Joseph eight).

Read More

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England have one last chance to impress against Italy…but injuries could spell DISASTER

For many of those involved tonight, the encounter of England with Italy in Newcastle will be a damage – exercise limitation. The primary goal will be to prevent premature accidents before we go to Japan for the World Cup.

However, it will not be so for Mark Wilson. This test means a lot to the temporarily banned Falcons flanker. The locals in the crowd at St James & # 39; Park will no doubt reserve special praise for the Cumbrian who spent years as a loyal club before relegation of the Premiership in May led to a move to Sale. The 29-year-old is back on Tyneside as a figurehead for Northeast rugby, on a rare and memorable occasion. England does not often venture away from the familiar borders of Twickenham.

For Eddie Jones This is a competition designed to prepare the World Cup for Sunday's flight to Tokyo, fourteen days before a tournament-opener against Tonga. But for Wilson, his city and the region there is a bigger picture.

Mark Wilson hopes to clash with Italy to impress Eddie Jones and Newcastle

England already has injury interests over various players, including Mako Vunipola

& # 39; It will be huge – very special, & # 39; he said. It's at my family's door. My mother never looks, but she will stand in the stands, which will be pretty special. And play in Newcastle. During my childhood, if you wanted to look at England, you had to go to Twickenham to see them. For families in the north, it's quite a big effort, isn't it? I'm pretty sure that many families will make pretty good memories on Friday night.

"Hopefully it will encourage a chain reaction in terms of stimulating rugby in the area. By spreading the game nationwide, the development of rugby in all parts of the country will naturally help. & # 39;

Wilson revealed that his English teammates were joking about his easy commute. "After the race it takes me 10 minutes to get home in a taxi," he said. "I can sit smugly in my house on Friday night while others have to take the train!"

He expects the Newcastle football arena to offer a raw background. & # 39; It's Friday night in Newcastle, so there will be a few drunk Geordies and entertaining characters & he said. It will be a good atmosphere. I hope everyone is happy. & # 39;

Wilson and England must ensure that they do so. Italy would be at full strength in the Eddie Jones side, and Conor O & # 39; Shea has called a shadow Azzurri team, so the Newcastle crowd is likely to be treated with bonanza points. The & # 39; hosts & # 39; those not at home can expect to fill their boots while doing everything possible to stay in one piece.

The doom scenario would relate to Captain Owen Farrell or Billy Vunipola – his fourth start in this warm-up phase – injured

The two are irreplaceable, but Jones could do it without one of his players suffer 11 hours of anxiety. The head coach is already going to Japan with key figures still in recovery mode – Mako Vunipola, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade and Jonathan Joseph. A victory is almost certain and the morale is high after the record-breaking demolition of Ireland, so England must get through this unscathed.

Eddie Jones has named his starting 15 for Friday's clash with Italy in St James & # 39; Park

Jack Nowell is another from Eddie Jones & # 39; team recovering from an injury prior to the World Championship

There are personal calendars that will cause intriguing sub-plots. If Anthony Watson takes the back seat, he could give Jones cause to think about the pecking order of No. 15.

Another Bath pilot, Ruaridh McConnochie, will finally make his debut on the third attempt, twice withdrawn due to injuries, so the former Sevens player will be determined to justify his inclusion as a bolter in the World Cup team.

As far as Wilson is concerned, he has lost ground due to an injury. He has to use this fixture to breathe new life into his own selection perspectives, given Tom Curry and Sam Underhill – the last row of Jones who are & # 39; Kamikaze Kids & # 39; greeted – excel in tandem against the Irish.

& # 39; The great thing about all of us in the back row is that there is a big element of competition to get the best out of each other & # 39 ;, said Wilson, whose miraculous defenses were a feature of the Six Nations campaign of England.

& # 39; I never felt frustrated. I wanted to be right before we left, so it just meant that I stayed behind for a few weeks. I feel fresh, so I'm looking forward to coming in. & # 39;

That is a declaration of physical intention and yes, England cannot be halfhearted in their work tonight. Jones would paralyze them if they were. But they will try to be sensitive to stay out of the way as much as possible, from work, then to another audience, and in a suitable state for the impending crusade to the Far East.

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Mako: Tough love key to recovery

Mako Vunipola says his father’s tough love and the family’s strong genes have enabled himself and brother Billy to return from injury for the final two matches of England's Six Nations campaign. from SkySports | News

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He played on after his eyeball was burst by a stud

The story of how the Ireland-born fly-half even got to this point, though, is much more worthy of discussion. A freak accident on the rugby field severely damaged the promising young pro’s left eye and eventually McKinley was totally robbed of sight on his left side. He retired at 21.

And yet here he is at 29, playing test rugby for Italy and a leader for professional side Benetton Treviso.

The playmaker has often jumped hurdles. In love with the sport since the age of three, McKinley made do playing Gaelic Football and hockey until he could play rugby at 12 — though even then, he was at a non-rugby school. He could not wait for the next step.

“I literally did my last exam and the next day went into the Leinster academy,” McKinley says of joining one of rugby’s premier clubs, in Dublin. “Straight away you’re training with the likes of Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy so it was a big, big jump but one I relished and cherished.

“You had to be associated with a club and I went to University College Dublin (UCD) for my studies. It was right beside Leinster, so it was really handy to finish training and then go to your lessons.”

READ: England stuns Ireland in opening weekend of Six Nations

It was at UCD in 2010 that the accident happened.

McKinley explains: “I was at the bottom of a ruck, and my teammate was just in there. I won’t say he was doing a stamping motion — he was a bit clumsy with his feet. A boot caught my face and in particular my eyeball with his stud and the eyeball burst. That was scary.

“I have no problem talking about it, the details. It’s part of my journey.

“It was something very unexpected but the doctors were really quick to react. They deserve an enormous amount of credit. The eye was not exactly where it should be and they obviously knew something was serious. I was rushed straight away to hospital and had emergency surgery.”

Losing sight

A few points in that day led young McKinley to realize something severe had happened. The complete blackout of vision in his eye was the first point, but while he was getting an extra scan people in A&E kept staring at him. On the way to see the eye specialists, McKinley asked his mom if she could show him how bad it was. “It wasn’t too pretty,” he surmises.

However, a week after his emergency surgery, he was asking when he could return to the rugby pitch.

Initially prescribed a year off, with no activity in order to avoid putting pressure on his eye, McKinley found his way back. Although the accident was in January, by pre-season training the number 10 was competing with 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year Jonny Sexton and Ian Madigan to impress Joe Schmidt, in the renowned coach’s first season in charge of Leinster. By the 18-month mark, McKinley had recovered 70% vision in his damaged eye.

READ: England’s Billy Vunipola on family fighting, injury setbacks, and his World Cup ‘dream’

However, things would all go black again. His retina detached while waiting at traffic lights and, with vision totally gone in the left eye, the only option was to retire at 21.

McKinley explains the frustration a sportsman can feel when your body robs you of the chance to end a career on your own terms. Eventually he and his partner headed out to Italy to start a new life, with him set to coach rugby.

Favor smiled on McKinley there, and when a World Rugby-sanctioned trial for goggles was approved in Italy, the fly-half started playing again, testing the product out lower down the levels. In a short space of time the fly-half would go from amateur rugby to semipro at Viadana, to playing a few games for Zebre and eventually signing for Benetton. After serving his residency period, McKinley made his international debut against Fiji in 2017.

Journey to the top

So what powered him through this second shot at rugby, after a three year absence?

“Whenever I retired I always felt there was a chance I could come back in some capacity,” he explains. “But there’s a big difference between dream and reality.

“A big, big turning point for me was when Nevin Spence died, because I would have played with him at underage level and his story was well documented, that tragedy.”

Spence, a center for Ulster, was earmarked for big things. But in 2012, he, his brother Noel and their father Graham were killed in a slurry tank accident. It was a devastating moment for the Irish rugby community.

READ: Why Georgia has rugby on its mind

McKinley goes on: “I’d been over in Italy for seven weeks and that really hit me hard, if I’m totally honest. I can only imagine (how it effected) the family. I was just thinking there was someone coming good in his career, he was getting the plaudits he deserved and was a really humble guy.

“To have his life taken at such a young age, and here I was, not sitting on my ass but thinking ‘at least give it an opportunity.’ I’m just very fortunate that I have such amazing people round me who were able to facilitate and help me do that.”

Giving it another go can never be easy and McKinley is at pains to explain that he has never wanted special treatment from coaches or teammates; when he makes a mistake he wants to hear about it.

He has learned to work on throwing his hands forward to meet a pass, as it helps with depth perception. As he is left-footed and blind in his left eye, he has had to work on perfecting kicking technique from tighter, easier-to-see angles — but throughout his time in Italy he has also learned to back his instincts.

In November, McKinley faced off against the land of his birth as Ireland handily won 54-7 in Chicago. It was a result that stung, as “I don’t like losing to my mates by 50 points!” However, February 24 is not circled on the calendar as the day Italy get some Irish revenge, in the third round of the Six Nations.

There is too much to focus on first. Among which is a first-ever test for McKinley in Rome, against Wales. Though the way he tells it, whether he plays a part is unimportant as long as Italy win. He has made himself a home there.

[torentialtribute]

Taulupe Faletau to use heart-ache of injury nightmare to fuel push for Wales’ World Cup squad

The 28-year-old

& # 39; It's about conquering my place in the team & # 39 ;: Taulupe Faletau uses pain in an agony of injuries to refuel for Wales & # 39; -old No. 8 has not played since January when he broke his right arm

That meant that Taulupe Faletau missed the Six Nations Grand Slam victory of Wales in March

Published: 00:07 BST, July 21, 2019 | Taulupe Faletau will use the heartache of a terrible season devastated by injury The 28-year-old No 8 has not played since January when he broke his right arm for the second time during the first game of his return for his club.

Six Nations Six Nations

Six Nations

<img id = "i-509e13d9138818e5" src = "https://ift.tt/2xXSIEz" height = "422" width = "634" alt = "<img id = "i-509e13d9138818e5" src = "https://ift.tt/2xXSIEz" height = "422" width = "634" alt = "Taulupe Faletau will use the heartache of a terrible season devastated by injuries to feed the work ethic" class = "blkBorder img-share" will use the pain of a terrible season devastated by injuries to stimulate the work ethic "

Taulupe Faletau will use the heartache of a terrible injury destroyed season to stimulate work labor

& # 39; It's about regaining my place in the team & # 39; , said the Lions star who trains in the sl opened camp for the World Cup in the Swiss Alps in Wales. ]

& # 39; Hard work will be done.

& # 39; It was frustrating. I played the first few games of the season with Bath the first time I broke it.

& I came back to Wasps in January but I did it again in that game, it was the right arm and

& # 39; I had the same procedure the second time, the surgeon placed another plate on the other side of the bone to strengthen it.

& # 39; Hopefully it's better this time, I haven't played a game yet, but I have had some contact with the boys and so far it has been fine.

The 28-year-old No 8 has not played since January when he broke his right arm -Year-old No 8 has not played since January when he broke his right arm "

The 28 year old No 8 hasn't played since January When he broke his right arm

& # 39; Hopefully I can get some training here and my arm will be fine and then "I can play again soon. A world championship is another level. They are just something you want to be part of." Billy Vunipola & # 39; s wedding – his first visit to the islands since 2011 – and is driven by the support from two nations.

& # 39; It is a small country, so you are recognized by everyone! & # 39;

& # 39; They are proud and stand for theirs. It was great to see the family and culture again.

& I represent Wales now, but I am Tongan. I can make them proud by playing for Wales, I will gladly do so. "

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Bulldozer Billy Vunipola is the GREIGHTEST! Team-mates hail strong man as he leads Saracens to glory

Billy Vunipola spoke to his Saracens teammates on Friday and promised that he would stand up for the big opportunity and encourage them to become a new European conquest. The club's third triumph in London in the continent's blue-riband manifestation, but it was the last day after he spoke. England No. 8, which was the striking force of nature. The younger brother of Vunipola has been watching for a storm last month and has responded by blowing away the wonderful team of Leinster.

His decisive attempt, 13 minutes from the time, capped to stunning display of bears and intercepts, tackles and skillful passes. From the base of an opposition scrum 22, the 26-year-old picked up, flipped through four defenders, and had enough power left to stretch and score. Shortly thereafter, the great Billy left with a sore shoulder. I would have done what he said he would do.

<img id = "i-7437eada172dd340" src = "https://dailym.ai/2HgD6Bl 21 / 13413394-0-image-a-19_1557694179525.jpg "height =" 506 "width =" 634 "alt =" Billy Vunipola delivered his word, ascending to the grandstand opportunity on Saturday "class =" blkBorder img-share "

Billy Vunipola delivered his word, ascending to the grandstand opportunity on Saturday

& # 39; I have shown a lot of character & # 39 ;, said Maro Itoje. & # 39; He is a tough, strong man. On Friday I spoke about when it's his turn to stand up for the team. He / she / it would appear and he did that in abundance. Billy always performs in the big games. He does it when we need it. & # 39;

Due to his own recognition, Vunipola did not operate on a personal peak during the Six Nations. He still got the confidence to crash into after a long period of injury, including shoulder and knee surgery and fractures of both arms.

In St James & Park, he was back in vintage 2016 mode, the world-class assets for his club. England will be real world cup competitions with this weapon of mass destruction at the base of their scrum.

& # 39; He is the best # 8 in the world for me & # 39 ;, said English hooker Jamie George. & # 39; He just seems to get better with every big game he plays. & # 39; He is so solid and takes everything in his hand & # 39;

<img id = "i-f1156ad88869c194" src = "https://dailym.ai/2HfXhzi -20_1557694217656.jpg "height =" 433 "width =" 634 "alt =" The No. 8 played a leading role in the victory of the Saracens & # 39; Champions Cup in St James & # 39; Park "class =" blkBorder " <img id = "i-f1156ad88869c194" src = "https://dailym.ai/2YiW7Zw. jpg "height =" 433 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-f1156ad88869c194" src = "https://dailym.ai/2HfXimQ -0-image-a-20_1557694217656.jpg "height =" 433 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-f1156ad88869c194" src = "https://dailym.ai/2CYdfvj 2019/05/12/21 / 13413398-0-image-a-20_1557694217656.jpg "height =" 433 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-f1156ad88869c194" src = "https: // i .dailymail.co.uk / 1s / 2019/05/12/21 / 13413398-0-image-a-20_1557694217656.jpg "height =" 433 "width =" 634 "alt =" The No 8 played a leading role in the victory of the Saracens & # 39; Cha mpions Cup in St James & # 39;

Richard Wigglesworth paid homage to the way Vunipola celebrated the moment grip to score his try – not just the execution of it, but the awareness he showed. & # 39; He was huge, & # 39; said the scrum half. & # 39; Before that finish, he told me to get wide, but they weren't interested in me and I still managed to finish it.

There was self-mockery of the man of the moment who said: & Our generals and our backs place us in the right areas and we all do as far as we are concerned

& # 39; We are human beings, we can relax and it makes no sense to tell me: & # 39; I want to be the best in the world & every day because that would be a lie. I'm going to spend a good night with my friends and family, then we'll see Worcester next week and see if we can beat them.

We were in this position two years ago and I missed out on a Lions tour.

<img id = "i-95667576eb0876ea" src = "https://dailym.ai/2YtGI93 -21_1557694243344.jpg "height =" 464 "width =" 634 "alt =" His decisive attempt against Leinster, with 13 minutes left, a beautiful display covered "

<img id =" i-95667576eb0876ea "src = "https://dailym.ai/2HeNyJz" height = "464" width = "634" alt = "Are decisive attempt against Leinster, with 13 minutes remaining, covered a stunning display "class =" blkBorder img-share "

His decisive attempt against Leinster, with still 13 minutes past, a stunning display on Tyneside covered, after finding himself 10-0 and a man down, it will be a monumental achievement for Exeter or Gloucester or anyone else to deny them their fate.

& # 39; That's the best feeling I've ever had on a rugby field, & George said. & # 39; The season we've had, the amount of external negativity we've had … it shows that if we stay tight as a group, we can do anything. It is us versus the world and that is good for us. & # 39;

This circle of the wagons in North London and Hertfordshire was in response to the recent criticism of the younger Vunipola after his ill-advised outburst of social media in support of the shame of Australia full-back, Israel Folau. It was also a response to Sportsmail's claims about possible violations of the Premiership limit, now the subject of a major investigation.

<img id = "i-4fd9171b71f3358d" src = "https://dailym.ai/2Yp0TF6 image-a-22_1557694265189.jpg "height =" 423 "width =" 634 "alt =" On a raw St James & # 39; Park on Saturday it was back in vintage 2016 mode "class =" blkBorder img-share " James & Park on Saturday, he was back in vintage 2016 mode "

In a rugged St James Park on Saturday, he was back in vintage 2016 mode

But in this context, in Europe, this need not be achieved with an asterisk attached, there is no limit in this tournament, French clubs have much higher budgets – Toulon came to win three consecutive titles.

After a week in which English football celebrated continental successes, George suggested that what his team had done should be a reason for national pride.

& # 39; We are an English club with many English, in-house country grown up players & # 39 ;, he said. & # 39; Success in Europe is not easy. Not many teams have won it so it's three times that it's a pretty impressive performance. "

He's right. What the Saracens have done is incredibly impressive. These are historical heights of glory. Champions in 2016, 2017 and now in 2019.

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Leicester Tigers face a fight to beat the drop after suffering painful defeat against Northampton

It is no longer unthinkable. It is now a grim reality. Leicester has been dragged into the fight against relegation, following a perfectly-consecutive series of weekend results.

On Friday evening the tigers lost their derby meeting at home in Northampton. Frankly, until a number of face-saving attempts near the end, they were in the sword.

Welford Road no longer fears visitors. In 14 games this season there was in all competitions, Leicester won seven and lost seven. What used to be a fortress is now regularly stormed and plundered.

After defeating Northampton local rivals, Liecester must face the reality of relegation "

Na a defeat to local rivals Northampton, Liecester must face the reality of relegation

The next day, the bottom two teams in the Gallagher Premiership, Newcastle and Worcester, won tight contests for their own chances of survival

By defeating the sale at St James & # 39; Park, the Falcons made them now only five points behind the Tigers, with Wespen not much further ahead, Bath is not free either

The fact that Leicester is on the endangered list comes as a shock to those familiar with their family tree as perpetual title challenges, with the largest support base in the country. Even now, they don't know whether to look up or down.

After losing to Northampton, head coach Geordan Murphy said: & # 39; The top four will be very difficult for us and so will the top six. & # 39;

In reality, he can forget everything about the top four and focus on staying in the top 11. England, the half George Ford, was rather willing to accept the predicament of the state, and added toe: & # 39; Losing games is a bad habit We understand the position we are in. We have to get things right quickly. & # 39; Leicester is one of the most influential artists in Leicester's history and is one of the most influential actors in Leicester's history. ] <img id = "i-98b14631aab057a7" src = "https://ift.tt/2HDenZq" height = " 431 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-98b14631aab057a7" src = "https://ift.tt/2Wni60C a-52_1553462330562.jpg "height =" 431 "width =" 634 "alt =" With top players including fly-half <img id = "i-98b14631aab057a7" src = "https://ift.tt/2UINeHc /2019/03/24/21/11402122-0-image-a-52_1553462330562.jpg "height =" 431 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-98b14631aab057a7" src = "https: // i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/24/21/11402122-0-image-a-52_1553462330562.jpg "height =" 431 "width =" 634 "alt =" With top players including fly-half George Ford, Leicester on paper are also good to go down George Ford, Leicester on paper are also good to knock down

] On paper, these Tigers have too much quality to go down. On the other hand, on paper they have too much quality to even end up in this mess. Ford, Ben Youngs, Manu Tuilagi, Jonny May, Dan Cole and Ellis Genge have all just returned from England. Every squadron with that destiny should not be tenth – and in freefall.

Leicester must accept that they are in survival mode, or that they can walk away to the cliff. They must realize that Bristol, Worcester and Newcastle have been preparing for some time to fight their livelihood during the top flight. If the Tigers do not adopt the same way of thinking, they can sink against all odds.

Their meeting with Newcastle at Kingston Park on April 12 emerges as a crucial opportunity, on the basis of which they are unlikely to beat them six days earlier on Exeter on Welford Road.

Logic still dictates that Murphy & # 39; s men will find a way out of this tightness, but if they don't, there is no way their English players can all stay to play in the championship. They should go somewhere else.

Regardless of this, the club is going through a huge shock to the system that needs to ram home the need for an overhaul; from boardroom to academy. The recruitment process has been defective for too long.

The command structure is messy. The coaching structure lacks experience and influence. The package has been deactivated.

In the meantime, Leicester's difficulty in firing up clubs' determination to endure their foreclosure goal will be urgent. It must be resisted at all costs. The Premiership has intensity and integrity because of the current one-up, one down format.

During the next month and a half, the competition will provide a fascinating drama based on what is happening at the bottom, rather than what is happening at the top

Geordan Murphy] Geordan Murphy admitted that top four was out of reach for Leicester, but should survive "/>

should be goal

The lions consider the possibility of playing a home test at Twickenham for their tour through South Africa in 2021, to raise funds to pay the clubs, for the right to have an extra week together.

This column sincerely hopes that they will scrap the idea, to preserve the mystical and unique status they have.It is not intended that the lions in their own country exist – they are a travel entity.

It bringing the best of the British and Irish together for a commercial exercise would dilute the whole concept. If it is an absolute financial necessity to get a valuable preparation time, they might be able to play in a different guise, such as the Barbarians. Just don't use the famous red shirts and the quarter board. Save it for the tour. Keep them elusive and remote and special.

<img id = "i-ca53b2b4cbd55e7e" src = "https://ift.tt/2Wmu0I6 21 / 11402326-6845383-image-a-64_1553462738940.jpg "height =" 453 "width =" 634 "alt =" British and Irish lions should be kept as a tour entity and not exploited for commercial gain

British and Irish lions should be kept as a touristic entity and not exploited for commercial gain

Perhaps the most predictable award in history confirmed on Friday when Alun Wyn Jones, the Wales captain, was duly named Guinness Six Nations player of the championship.

That was his overwhelming influence during the tournament, the final was a shoo-in for the prize, hopefully those in charge of overseeing the World Playe take note of the r of the Year Award this year; it is not always the goal kicker or the top try scorer who really runs the show.

[1945]

Alun Wyn Jones predictably called the Guinness Six Nations player of the championship

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEKEND

The full-back scored all four attempts for the Ospreys against the Dragons, but still has only two caps for Wales.

Schalk Britten enjoyed years of glory on Saracens, but now the hooker is enduring humiliations with the Bulls – who sent 56 points and seven attempts at home to the Chiefs on Saturday

FINE MARGINS

Harlequins scored a second before rest at the London Stadium and their bonus line-out a try.

Former Harlequin center Matt Hopper completed an astonishing 100-meter high counterattack by Oyonnax.

in the third minute of their French Pro D2 victory over Massy.

TACKLE OF THE WEEK

Waikato Chiefs prop Nep Laulala had just come off the bank in Pretoria when he

Referee JP Doyle felt the power of a Billy Vunipola.

The Scarlets found themselves leaving behind 38

The Scarlets found themselves trailing 38 -0 at rest against the Blues in Cardiff on Friday night. They would have gathered late after the break, but it was a shattering shame.

DUCK BROKEN

Will Skelton had not scored a try twice in Stratford in his first 30 Premiership appearances for Saracens. The former Wallaby lock takes a number of stops up close.

<img id = "i-91c8735320ae14b3" src = "https://ift.tt/2NyDsEw /1s/2019/03/24/21/11403206-6845383-image-a-79_1553464195680.jpg "height =" 407 "width =" 634 "alt =" Saraskensluis will score Skelton twice against Harlequins and take some stop "

There was a slight commotion in the middle of the week when it turned out that Billy Vunipola and Ben Te & # 39; o had to apologize for having kept drinking too late after the English 38 -38 draw against Scotland.

Not long ago they would have had to apologize if they had NOT kept drinking late. So much has changed in the game. It is now an uber-professional and scientific environment, but the protagonists are still human.

They should be given the opportunity to relax with a night out after a debilitating campaign, as long as no damage has been done. Any protocol that requires an entire team to stay together socially and at all times is unworkable.

Many Wales players have fought hard to celebrate their Grand Slam without being the subject of any complaint. Disappointment needs as much outlet as euphoria.

Billy Vunipola apologized after his stay after England & # 39; s draw with Scotland Vunipola apologized after continuing to follow the draw of England with Scotland "

The reaction to Ben Te & # 39; o's stay

<img id = "i-f3176746a0ae054a" src = "https://ift.tt/2HC3APb. jpg "height =" 275 "width =" 306 "alt =" The reaction to Ben Te & # 39; o staying out late is an indication of the professionalism within rugby "class =" – Billy Vunipola and Ben Te & # 39; o had to apologize for having been drinking too late

The Ospreys had seen the Six Nations trophy and Triple Crown at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, to see their contribution to mark quota to another Welsh Slam.

Given the feel-good factor created by the triumph of the national team and in light of the recent threat to their existence, the plans for a proposed merger with the Scarlets came to light, they Earned better than a crowd of 8,047, for the Pro 14 clash with the dragons.

The night before in Cardiff, the Blues had a full house in the Arms Park for the Scarlets' visit. This is the hope that the rugby community in Swansea and the surrounding area will realize that they have champions and icons that represent them, and that they will show more support.

The Grand Slam triumph of Wales has created a feel-good factor and supporters must realize this "

The Grand Slam triumph of Wales has created a feel-good factor and supporters must realize this

LAST WORD

Danny Care has provided further evidence that he is going to the World Cup must go with England The veteran Harlequin's scrum-half scored an opportunistic attempt against Saracens on Saturday and took the fight for the champions, quite literally in the case of his scrap with Lions full-back Liam Williams.

[19459002PoorDanRobsonfromWaspshasnothadafairchancetoestablishhimselfattheTestlevelbuthestillhastimetoleavehismarkontheinternationallevelinthecomingyears

Care is 32 and is still a class act, with tempo and vi and instinctive football. He remains a class act and he remains the right man to act as the Young Rose Red Rose understudie.

<img id = "i-d5907fe510a0c31b" src = "https://ift.tt/2WnOj86 image-a-74_1553463927400.jpg "height =" 418 "width =" 634 "alt =" At the age of 32, Harlequins & Danny Care remain a class act on both club and country "

Danny Care from Harlequins a class act on scrum-half for both club and country "

On 32, Harlequins & Danny Care remains a class act at scrum-half for both club and country

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Treasure Islanders: The Pacific powerhouses who are giving England a new dimension in Six Nations

] England could use six island heritage men in their island heritage matchday teams Fiji-born wing Joe Cokanasiga is the newest player popping up for England

A new generation is on the way, coming through the ranks in England

Door

Chris Foy for the Daily Mail

Published: 22:33 GMT, March 12, 2019 | Updated: 22:33 GMT, March 12, 2019

Shortly after England launched their Six Nations campaign with victory over Ireland in Dublin,

Eddie Jones indicated how much he considered the growing Pacific Island contingent in the Red Rose

Asked to judge the good performance of Manu Tuilagi against the title holders, the head coach said: & # 39; We had a few today. They all seem to come from one part of the world, so we shopped pretty well! "

The & # 39; shopping & # 39; fierce walk continues. When Italy was put to death at Twickenham last Saturday, the marauding man of the contest was Bath & # 39; s giant, Fiji – birth wing Joe Cokanasiga, who has become the newest Polynesian recruit for the English cause and their collective impact is profound.

One of the more established members of the group, Billy Vunipola – whose father Fe & # 39; ao captain Tonga – paid tribute to Cokanasiga for giving such a striking demonstration of his heritage. The newcomer continued to carry the ball in one hand, to offer pure Fijian flair.

& # 39; That's just the way he plays & said, Billy – younger brother of the other Vunipola in England, Mako. & # 39; I have clearly been large enough to hold the ball like that.

& # 39; Joe is Fijian origin and that's how they play. They have the fast genes that we Tongans are more used to getting ahead of! & # 39;

Mako (left) and Billy Vunipola have cousin Manu who progresses through the ranks on Saracens

The RFU needed not to look for these foreign possessions because

England could realistically start a competition at the World Cup. day shifts of 23 with six men with an island heritage; both Vunipolas, Tuilagi, Cokanasiga, Nathan Hughes and Ben Te & # 39; o.

The 18-year-old cousin of the Vunipolas, Manu, emerges as a promising half of a flight from Saracens; Fred Tuilagi, the cousin of Manu Tuilagi, adds his name to the family dynasty in Leicester as an emerging force at number 8; and Cokanasiga & # 39; s younger brother Phil is in the London Irish academy. On Sunday, he is destined to play against Scotland for the eighteen side of England, one day after Joe is expected to play in the Calcutta Cup in Twickenham.

Another well-known surname and Polynesian family tree is Jacob Umaga, whose uncle Tana was the leader of the All Blacks and father Mike represented Samoa. Jacob can fly half or completely behind.

The islands in the Pacific can survive in a fight for rugby right now, but that doesn't mean they can't feast on the groundbreaking exploits of their players who now wear the Red Rose. Dan Leo, chief executive of Pacific Rugby Players Welfare, told Sportsmail: & We are very proud of our Pacific representatives in England and about the six countries.

& # 39; There is an increasing presence of Pacific Island heritage players in the side of England, proving that we are worth the investment! bitterness. We are proud of the existing path so that our players can represent England.

& # 39; It's a story about migration and we don't want to change it – the ability to move to another country, better for yourself

& # 39; We are really proud of these guys flying the flag & # 39;

& # 39; These boys live the English dream and have placed themselves in a position where their families can benefit. for our countries. Someone like Manu Tuilagi who plays for England has an impact on tourists who come to Samoa. He is a proud Samoan.

When England meets Scotland on Saturday, they will receive support on the other side of the world.

Leo added: & # 39; These games are followed en masse on the islands. I can guarantee that there are people in Fiji who cheer even harder for England than the English fans when they see their own team in Fiji. The association is never forgotten, even if the player is a generation removed. & # 39;

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Billy Vunipola still treasures his family’s warm Valleys welcome

& # 39; It's a big game, but there's no hatred … there's a lot of love for people in Wales & # 39 ;: Billy Vunipola still estimates the warm valleys of his family ahead of Six Nations- clash with England

Billy Vunipola starts at number 8 for England before the Cardiff collision Wales hosts England in the Six Nations in the Principality of on Saturday

[Verse] tournament

By

Chris Foy for the Daily Mail

Published: 22:31 GMT, February 20, 2019 | Updated: 22:34 GMT, February 20, 2019

Billy Vunipola tries to overtake every cross-border hatred on Saturday by using the power of love in Cardiff – as a tribute to Welshman who helped his family settle in the UK.

The Saracens No 8 and the younger of the two Vunipola brothers from England talked in a moving way about the way in which the culture shock migration from the southern Pacific to Pontypool was made more bearable by the reception they received.

When former captain of Tonga Fe & # 39; ao Vunipola brought his wife and children with him to the Valleys, they were warmly embraced by the community, which went a long way to help them settle.

This is why Billy will not go to the Principality of Amsterdam for the next contest of Guinness Six Nations in England by one of the hostility that often underlies this explosive fixture.

& # 39; It's a big game, but there's no hatred there, & # 39 ;, he said Wednesday. I think that love works better than hatred because you have a clear mind. With hatred you think everything is wrong and that it is everyone's fault.

& # 39; There is a lot of love for people in Wales. Where we fall apart is when England-Wales comes in. That is when we share. But it's only once or twice a year and it's nothing crazy – they will support Wales and I will play for England, so they will not support me.

Referring to the arrival at Pontypool, when he was just six, Vunipola added: "We keep many people in high regard in Wales. We have many family, friends, people who really helped us when we came here.

& # 39; Extra duvets, extra pillows, sweaters – all those little things. We were very naive when we came by and did not think it would be cold. We were therefore grateful for all those small gestures and also for big things, such as helping with visas and the work permit of my father. We came in shorts and T-shirts in the winter. We did not know what to bring. We had knives and forks in our luggage – you would not be able to do that now!

& # 39; Do you know when it is cold and you see yourself breathing? We thought it was coolest until we were home and it was still there. We pretended we were like the old boys smoking, but it was not cool when you tried to go to sleep and it was still cold.

One person was particularly helpful: "We have a lot of family, friends," and, amusingly, it was a kitman of the club in Pontypool, & # 39; said Billy, 26. & # 39; He felt sorry for my father and us as his small family. He just died and we were at his funeral in Wales a few months ago. Terry Gordon. I called him Tiger. Great guy. I'll think of him on Saturday. "

There was another culture shock when Vunipolas moved to England

A first encounter with London had a profound effect on Billy, who said: & # 39; I only remember how busy it and we were afraid of it.We went from Pontypool to London, which was about zero to 100 in terms of people in the neighborhood.

& # 39; I remember that I had to keep everyone's hands hold it, it just scared me! "

& # 39; I have built up a little confidence and it has been a good time for me to try and play a bit of my better rugby, "he said.

& # 39; I tried to build it but there is more urgency this week because my brother (Mako) is not here and Maro (Itoje) I went outside for two weeks, so I would like to see if I can play my best game. "

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Mako: Tough love key to recovery

Mako Vunipola says his father’s tough love and the family’s strong genes have enabled himself and brother Billy to return from injury for the final two matches of England's Six Nations campaign. from SkySports | News