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Billy Vunipola's first impression of his new life at Montpellier

By Liam Heagney
Billy Vunipola reacts after his final appearance for Saracens last May (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Former England international Billy Vunipola has given a first impression of his new life in Montpellier. The 31-year-old, who was at Saracens from 2013 to 2024, has quit the Gallagher Premiership for the Top 14 for the next few years and after beginning pre-season on July 17, he has now shared his thoughts on his first couple of weeks in the south of France. 

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Speaking at his first media briefing since joining the club that finished 13th in the 2023/24 Top 14, Vunipola insisted his move across the Channel was about the business of winning and not money. 

“It’s a new life choice, a new club, but I didn’t come to collect my salary, I want to give the best for this club,” said the Rugby World Cup 2019 finalist in a report published by L’Equipe

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Steve Borthwick impressed by young England side in tight All Blacks loss | Steinlager Series

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Steve Borthwick impressed by young England side in tight All Blacks loss | Steinlager Series

“I met Bernard (Laporte, the director of rugby), the president (Mohed) Altrad last week and I understood their expectations. They want the club to be at the top. I want to help them in this project and get back into shape.

“It is weird to start a season away from Saracens. I spent a lot of years there, won titles (five English Championships and three European Cups) but I felt it was the right time to move on. 

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“It wasn’t an easy choice to leave England. I knew I would no longer be eligible for selection, there is the language barrier, a new life far from the comfort of Saracens to which I had become accustomed, a new culture but once I made the decision, I was very happy and I got fully involved.

“It’s hot, so hot. I have never experienced a preparation in such heat. My wife and son think we are just here for the summer holidays but I can assure them that it’s anything but a holiday,” he chuckled. 

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Highlighted in Vunipola’s calendar for the season ahead is the October 6 Montpellier versus Vannes fixture, the game where he could pack down against older brother Mako as he has also made the switch from the Premiership to Top 14.

“We already faced each other once when I played for Wasps (2011-2013) and the following week, I signed for Saracens. It’s going to be a great time, provided we win!”

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J
JW 32 minutes ago
Springboks reclaim Freedom Cup in titanic All Blacks clash

Well to begin with I thought it was just a technical penalty, and more of an issue of law than it's application from the referee this time. Since you have proved that rule which suggests the ref only has to believe he intentional impeded his chance, well then it goes down into the 50/50 category for me. I'm not even going to say it was a pivotal decision, because I doubt he would have got replaced (and so wouldn't have helped the team anyway).


Yeah many will look on the threat that NZ provided with the huge increase in running meters they had for this game but I am inclined to think it was quality defence that stopped them getting across the actual line rather than just the law of averages (which with equal attacking stats would suggest NZ had left a couple of tries out there, if SA's attack got a fair reward, maybe they both could have scored more as you suggest). Indeed NZ will need to do a lot more work getting themselves knowing how to convert those opportunities, to get through this defence, than what SA will do progressively and naturally just adapting to a new style (if they continue going that way).


For sure the ABs are up against all odds, you can't guarantee that sort of stuff like people seem to suggest, a nation like New Zealand plays so far above it's weight it has to do near everything perfectly to exist. It's funny though, that first 25 minutes of attack is the AB attack of old (mentality wise) and I have not seen it in near than a decade, and it was slick! So I'm really jovial about things. I can easily say that some of those players should not even be first choice Abs anymore and some it might be a case of their being better options that just have to be given a chance, but we'll have to wait and see how it all players out.

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W
Wayneo 1 hour ago
The good news for the All Blacks

Embrace the suck mate.


The Springboks practically handed the AB's 2 winning opportunities in SA, but they could not take them.


All this could have, should have, would have stuff is just wishful thinking and adds no value to the situation other than more background noise.


Springboks are undergoing a massive change in how they play the game and had the balls to do it not only with a bunch of inexperienced players but in a 2 test match series against the legendary All Blacks.


In your face kind of thing from the Springboks, with a" here is what we are going to be come" so try and stop us...


No can do mate; Springboks saw the beset the AB's had to offer under SR at Joburg, then went and made minor adjustments to their defense that rendered the AB's toothless and unable to get across the line for 80 minutes.


Yes, there were lots of growing pains from the Springboks who were trying out new systems and playing styles. No hiding this fact because everybody saw it. Probably the most frustrated I have ever seen Saffas during a Springboks game in a long time. More frustrated because they know the current Springboks should be pumping the AB's every time they take the field.


Not only this, but Springboks depth also runs 4 to 5 players deep in every position, sometimes even 10 players deep, at the moment allowing them to make wholesale changes for every game and select virtually two different teams to face not only the Wallabies & AB's, but and about to split the squad in two for the next games against the Pumas.

I can't say the same for the AB's.


Shopping list of problems there so take your pick.

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TRENDING Springboks reclaim Freedom Cup in titanic All Blacks clash Springboks reclaim Freedom Cup in titanic clash
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