A seasoned England campaigner is reportedly in negotiations to accept an offer from a Japanese club after a bit-part role at the 2023 World Cup.
According to the UK’s Daily Mail, veteran No 8 Billy Vunipola is in talks with Suntory Sungoliath over a potential move to Japan. He was previously linked with the Tokyo-based team.
The 31-year-old has been offered a new contract to stay with Premiership club Saracens, but tightening budgets in the English top-flight could play a factor in whether Vunipola will take the deal.
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It is also understood that the burly loose forward is unlikely to be considered for one of the England RFU’s new ‘hybrid’ contracts worth up to £150 000 (R3.5 million) for players regarded as key to head coach Steve Borthwick’s future plans.
Despite being the only specialist England No 8 selected for France 2023, Vunipola started just one match and featured only briefly off the bench, with Borthwick favouring Ben Earl at the back of the scrum.
Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP