Vunipola brothers to leave Saracens

Brothers Billy and Mako Vunipola will both leave Saracens at the end of the season.

Prop Mako, 33, has been with Sarries for 13 years, having arrived in 2011. He was joined there by his younger brother, 31, two years later.

They have won five Premiership crowns and three European titles during their time at the club.

Manu Vunipola - cousin of Billy and Mako - has also confirmed he will be leaving Saracens at the end of the campaign.

England number eight Billy was recently issued with a formal warning by the Rugby Football Union and warned by his club after being arrested in Majorca last month.

Confirming his departure, Saracens announced that the number eight is leaving "for a new challenge".

"It's been a honour to represent the people and this great club, through the highs and lows I've enjoyed it all - I will treasure my time here for the rest of my life," Billy Vunipola said.

His brother Mako, who retired from England duty in January after winning 79 caps, added: “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.”

Mako was born in New Zealand and his brother in Australia but they qualified to play for England on residency grounds and won three Six Nations titles as well as the 2016 Grand Slam.

Billy was part of the England side which reached the 2019 World Cup final and last year's semi-final, losing to South Africa on both occasions. His brother also played in the 2019 final.

Fly-half Manu, 24, has made 77 appearances for Saracens since his debut in 2019, having joined the club's academy when he was a teenager.

The number 10, who has represented England at under-18 and under-20 level, has started four Premiership games this season and played in 15 in total across all competitions.

It has not yet been announced which clubs the Vunipolas will be joining or whether they are heading abroad.

They follow England team-mate Owen Farrell in departing the StoneX Stadium in the summer, with the fly-half moving to French side Racing 92.

All three could make their final appearances for Sarries in the Premiership final at Twickenham on 8 June, after the club made the play-offs by beating Bristol on Saturday.

“To watch Billy develop into a world-class number eight and a thoughtful, supportive team-mate has been a privilege for us all," Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said.

"He has contributed enormously to the progress we have made as a club.

"On the field his intuition and amazing skill set, 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.

"Mako’s all-around skill set, rugby intelligence and physicality made us - as coaches - rethink what’s possible from a loose-head prop.

"Mako has achieved a phenomenal amount in the game; three Lions tours, multiple England caps and being central to all Saracens has created."

McCall added: “Manu has given his heart and soul to this club and we have loved watching him develop from boy to man."