Billy Vunipola turned down Super Rugby deal for France

Billy Vunipola has turned down a move to Australia to join French outfit Montpellier on a two-year deal when his contract with Premiership champions Saracens runs out at the end of the season.

RugbyPass understands that an Australian  Super Rugby Pacific outfit made a late bid to snatch the 31-year-old No.8, who was born in Sydney, from under the noses of Montpellier, but the deal was already agreed.

Vunipola, who is closing in 200 appearances for Saracens after from Wasps in 2013, has won three European Cup crowns and four Premiership titles during his stay with the North London side.

Nigel Owens about the state of South African refereeing

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Nigel Owens about the state of South African refereeing

A World Cup finalist in 2019, Vunipola was a member of Steve Borthwick’s squad in France earlier this season but found himself out in the cold for the Six Nations.

The move to France ends his England career after winning 73 caps, and he will join his Saracens team-mate Owen Farrell in playing in the Top 14 next season.

Vunipola was also offered a deal to stay with Saracens for another season but has decided to end his stay and will be moving to Montpellier, who already have former Exeter Chiefs and England international Sam Simmonds on their books.