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French giants again rumoured to eye Vunipola signing swoop

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

French rugby paper Midi Olympique has again linked Billy and Mako Vunipola with a move to the Top 14.

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The Saracens and England forwards have on more than one previous occasion dismissed similar suggestions – but nonetheless the rumours persist.

MO writes: “Two of the best-known internationals still playing could be making an imminent departure to France.

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Michael Cheika

Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika speaks with GIO this week as he opened up about how he handles relationships in the world of sport. He speaks openly about the tough things that he had to encounter when he was announced as the head coach of the Waratahs.

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Michael Cheika

Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika speaks with GIO this week as he opened up about how he handles relationships in the world of sport. He speaks openly about the tough things that he had to encounter when he was announced as the head coach of the Waratahs.

“Mako and Billy Vunipola are coming to the end of their contracts with Saracens and are ignored by Eddie Jones.

“Their CVs have recently been submitted to Top 14 clubs and some contacts may already have been made.

“The name Vunipola comes up repeatedly at Bordeaux Bègles. Billy Vunipola matches the profile sought to succeed Louis Picamoles and become the new spearhead of the Girondin (an area around Bordeaux) pack.

“But the two brothers appear to be determined to continue their careers wearing the same colours which would need a significant investment.

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“With Thierry Paiva, Vadim Cobillas, Kane Douglas and Alexandre Roumat coming to the end of their contracts, l’UBB has some room for manoeuvre.”

Midi Olympique then goes on to speculate that Paris, Toulon, Lyon and even Clermont are on the lookout on the market for a no.8.

Both brothers are known to be out of contract at Saracens at the end of the current season, and should they fail to regain places in the England squad the lure of a big-money contract in France could be significant.

However, floating such a possibility via a well-timed leak is also a well-used route with which player agents apply pressure ahead of contract negotiations with their current club.

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Loose head Mako who is now 30 joined Sarries from Bristol in 2011 and made his England debut the following year. He has since gone on to win 67 caps in addition to winning selection for the last three Lions tours.

Younger brother Billy (28) joined Mako in Barnet in 2013 after beginning his career at Wasps. He has since won 60 England caps in addition to being selected for the 2017 Lions tour of New Zealand before withdrawing due to injury.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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