Saracens Brace for Vunipola’s Return After Majorca Incident
Veteran Saracens No. 8 Billy Vunipola is set to rejoin his teammates in training today, as the club prepares to hold internal meetings to determine whether the 31-year-old will face any consequences for his recent arrest and court appearance in Majorca.
Vunipola, who was off-duty and at home in Hertfordshire on Tuesday, will reconnect with the squad at their base outside St Albans on Wednesday morning. The team is gearing up for a crucial Premiership showdown with Bristol at Ashton Gate on May 11.
Before that crucial fixture, Vunipola will learn whether he will be punished for the events that unfolded in the early hours of last Sunday morning in Palma. The England international was involved in a drunken incident at a nightclub, leading to his arrest after being tasered twice by Spanish police.
In a statement, Vunipola apologized for his conduct, having been fined €240 (£205) and given a suspended four-month jail sentence for resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer.
Despite the incident, sources in France suggest that Montpellier are still expected to proceed with their recruitment of Vunipola’s younger brother, Maro, at the end of the season. The elder sibling is set to visit the French club next month for a thorough medical evaluation, with the transfer anticipated to be finalized in the summer.
As for Saracens’ response, it is not anticipated to be severe, despite the club’s intention to investigate the latest social event incident involving their players. The most likely course of action is expected to be a club warning or rebuke, rather than any suspension.
Vunipola faces an uphill battle to end his Saracens career on a high note, with the stiff competition in the back row. However, the veteran will be highly motivated to contribute to the team’s quest for a successful title defense, with crucial Premiership fixtures against Bristol and Sale on the horizon.
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