Billy Vunipola able to end Saracens career on his own terms after RFU warning

Billy Vunipola has been handed RFU clearance to finish his Saracens career on his own terms, closing the disciplinary book on his Majorca arrest.

The England No 8 has escaped with a formal RFU warning, that will sit on his record for five years – but that crucially allows him to return to playing action straight away.

The 31-year-old had already received full backing from Saracens bosses to return to the field for Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership trip to Bristol, after being given an internal club warning.

Now that he has the sign-off from English union chiefs too, Vunipola will be primed to finish his 11-year Saracens by helping the Men In Black chase a seventh Premiership title.

“We have considered the apologies Billy has provided, his clear contrition and the circumstances around the incident and have concluded the most appropriate course of action is to issue a formal warning,” read an RFU statement.

“This warning will sit on his record for five years and may be relied upon in future disciplinary proceedings.

“It has been made clear to Billy that as a senior and respected player, such actions risk bringing the game as a whole into disrepute.

“In particular, such actions clearly go against the core values of rugby which collectively the sport works hard to promote."

Vunipola was arrested in the early hours of Sunday, April 28 at a bar in Palma, the Majorcan capital.

The 75-cap loose forward was tasered twice by police, then detained for resisting arrest.

Vunipola was fined 240Euros and handed a four-month suspended sentence on Monday, April 29, in a fast-track court case designed to accelerate a speedy return home for tourists in legal trouble.

The former Wasps star will join Montpellier this summer, bringing down the curtain on a glittering Saracens stint.

Vunipola is determined to help Saracens claim their seventh Premiership title before heading overseas to France.

The Sydney-born loose-forward’s decision to move abroad is thought to have eased pressure on the RFU regarding any tough disciplinary stance.

Vunipola’s England career will be effectively over when he makes the move across The Channel, with the RFU sticking to the policy of refusing to select overseas-based players.

England boss Steve Borthwick had already planned for that eventuality, omitting Vunipola from his Six Nations squad and cementing Ben Earl’s status as the first-choice Red Rose No 8.

Defending champions Saracens travel to Bristol on Saturday before hosting Sale at StoneX Stadium a week later.

Saracens want to produce a big send-off for the likes of both Billy Vunipola and brother Mako, with both siblings Montpellier-bound, as well as former England captain Owen Farrell.

Lions fly-half Farrell shone in Saracens’ 15-12 win at Bath on Friday, April 26, that has now teed up a chance of securing a top-two league table finish and a home semi-final.

The 32-year-old will reunite with his former England coach Stuart Lancaster at Racing 92 in Paris next season, in a brand new adventure having spent his entire career at Saracens.