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Billy Vunipola
Viliami Vunipola (born 3 November 1992) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a number eight for the Top 14 side Montpellier. Born in Australia, he represents England at international level after qualifying on residency grounds.
Vunipola, was born in Sydney in Australia to Tongan parents, but moved to Wales with his family as a young child after his father Feʻao Vunipola signed for Pontypool RFC in 1998. He was educated at Porth Infants School and Griffithstown Junior School, playing for New Panteg RFC with Joeseph Lane. He subsequently moved to The Castle School in Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England where he played junior rugby for Thornbury RFC before being given a scholarship to attend Harrow School.
While at Harrow School, Vunipola joined the Wasps Academy. He made his senior team debut in 2011–12 season and played 30 matches over two seasons before leaving at the end of the 2012–2013 season.
Vunipola signed a contract in January 2013 to move to Saracens at the end of the 2012–13 Premiership season. During his time at Saracens he has won four Premiership titles in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, with Vunipola featuring in all four finals and scoring a try in the 2018 final against Exeter Chiefs. He also helped Saracens win the European Rugby Champions Cup three times in four seasons; beating Racing 92 in 2016 and the following year defeating ASM Clermont Auvergne at Murrayfield to retain their title. In the 2019 final Vunipola scored a try in the victory over Leinster at St James' Park.
After Saracens were relegated from the Premiership due to salary cap breaches, Vunipola scored two tries in the 2021 Championship play-off final as they overcame Ealing Trailfinders to gain promotion and an immediate return to the top flight.
On 22 March 2024, after 11 seasons at Saracens, Vunipola announced his departure from the club, along with his brother Mako Vunipola, as he had signed for Montpellier in the Top 14 competition from the 2024-25 season.
In 2010, Vunipola was vice-captain for the England under-18 team that toured South Africa. He was also a member of the England under-20 side that finished seventh at the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship. In January 2013, he was called up to the England Saxons and subsequently trained with the senior England Squad during the 2013 Six Nations Championship.
Vunipola was included in the squad for their 2013 tour of South America and on 8 June 2013, made his senior England debut in the opening Test against Argentina in Salta, coming off the bench to score a try in England's 32–3 win. Earlier in the trip, he played in a tour game against a Consur XV, and scored a hat-trick of tries in six minutes.
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Billy Vunipola
Viliami Vunipola (born 3 November 1992) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a number eight for the Top 14 side Montpellier. Born in Australia, he represents England at international level after qualifying on residency grounds.
Vunipola, was born in Sydney in Australia to Tongan parents, but moved to Wales with his family as a young child after his father Feʻao Vunipola signed for Pontypool RFC in 1998. He was educated at Porth Infants School and Griffithstown Junior School, playing for New Panteg RFC with Joeseph Lane. He subsequently moved to The Castle School in Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England where he played junior rugby for Thornbury RFC before being given a scholarship to attend Harrow School.
While at Harrow School, Vunipola joined the Wasps Academy. He made his senior team debut in 2011–12 season and played 30 matches over two seasons before leaving at the end of the 2012–2013 season.
Vunipola signed a contract in January 2013 to move to Saracens at the end of the 2012–13 Premiership season. During his time at Saracens he has won four Premiership titles in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, with Vunipola featuring in all four finals and scoring a try in the 2018 final against Exeter Chiefs. He also helped Saracens win the European Rugby Champions Cup three times in four seasons; beating Racing 92 in 2016 and the following year defeating ASM Clermont Auvergne at Murrayfield to retain their title. In the 2019 final Vunipola scored a try in the victory over Leinster at St James' Park.
After Saracens were relegated from the Premiership due to salary cap breaches, Vunipola scored two tries in the 2021 Championship play-off final as they overcame Ealing Trailfinders to gain promotion and an immediate return to the top flight.
On 22 March 2024, after 11 seasons at Saracens, Vunipola announced his departure from the club, along with his brother Mako Vunipola, as he had signed for Montpellier in the Top 14 competition from the 2024-25 season.
In 2010, Vunipola was vice-captain for the England under-18 team that toured South Africa. He was also a member of the England under-20 side that finished seventh at the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship. In January 2013, he was called up to the England Saxons and subsequently trained with the senior England Squad during the 2013 Six Nations Championship.
Vunipola was included in the squad for their 2013 tour of South America and on 8 June 2013, made his senior England debut in the opening Test against Argentina in Salta, coming off the bench to score a try in England's 32–3 win. Earlier in the trip, he played in a tour game against a Consur XV, and scored a hat-trick of tries in six minutes.