English Premiership giants Saracens have confirmed the departure of two of the club’s long-serving members at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
Siblings Billy and Mako Vunipola will leave Saracens at the end of the season, the London-based outfit announced on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old Billy has spent 11 years at the club since joining from Wasps in 2013, winning five Premiership titles and three European Champions Cup crowns in 194 appearances.
“It”s been a honour to represent the people and this great club, through the highs and lows I”ve enjoyed it all,” Vunipola said in a statement issued by the club.
“I will treasure my time here for the rest of my life.”
On the international stage, the Australia-born No 8 has represented England 75 times, winning three Six Nations titles, including the Grand Slam in 2016.
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He was part of the squad that finished second at the 2019 World Cup and third at the 2023 tournament.
Last week, Vunipola received a formal warning from the RFU following his alcohol-fuelled arrest in Mallorca in April, but was not sanctioned further by the governing body.
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall thanked Vunipola for his time at the club.
“To watch Billy develop into a world class number eight and a thoughtful, supportive team-mate has been a privilege for us all,” he said.
“He has contributed enormously to the progress we have made as a club. On the field his intuition and amazing skillset combined with his competitive spirit and physical attributes made him a force to be reckoned with.
“Off the field Billy was sensitive to the needs of the group and a fantastic mentor to many younger players.”
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𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂, 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘆 ❤️🖤
A true Saracens great will depart at the end of the season.#YourSaracens💫 pic.twitter.com/1FAM8UDZPB
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) May 14, 2024
Born in New Zealand but raised in Wales and Gloucestershire, 33-year-old Mako made his professional debut for Bristol Rugby before joining the Saracens senior academy in 2011.
The loosehead prop amassed more than 200 appearances for the north Londoners, including 50-plus in Europe, and has been an integral part of the club’s success home and abroad.
Mako’s explosive carrying, stable scrummaging and fly-half-esque play in the loose also earned him 79 Test caps and back-to-back Six Nations titles.
His high-level performances have seen him represent the British and Irish Lions on three tours (Australia 2013, New Zealand 2017 and South Africa 2021) as well as feature at two World Cups (2015 and 2019).
Vunipola thanked everyone at Saracens for a glittering career: “I’m grateful for everything this club has given me. I’ve grown up at this place and it will be forever in my heart. Thank you.”
McCall added: “Few players change how their position is played. Mako’s all-around skillset, rugby intelligence and physicality made us – as coaches – rethink what’s possible from a loosehead prop.”
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂, 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗼 ❤️🖤@Mako_Vunipola will leave the club at the end of the 23/24 campaign 🥹#YourSaracens💫 pic.twitter.com/kYxU2B9CC8
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) May 14, 2024
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Photo: @Saracens/Twitter