‘Championship stint could refresh us’ – Billy Vunipola
England and Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola sees a season spent in the Championship as a chance to refresh for the disgraced Premiership outfit.
Vunipola will remain at Allianz Park next season despite the double winners’ relegation from the Premiership for repeated salary cap breaches.
It has been made clear to Saracens’ established Test stars that they will remain eligible for England and Lions selection despite competing in the second tier and Vunipola will welcome the lighter work load.
“It’s an opportunity to again look after myself and my body but also help the team with performances,” he said.
“There’s not as many fixtures or big games and people will understand when I say that as currently you can go from Clermont one week to Exeter the next, which is extremely tough and everyone carries niggles.
“It’s tough going but next year is a chance to recharge and get the body to feel better.”
🗣️ "I’ll play as much as I can, try to help the team as much as possible and hopefully we’ll come straight back up. I’m definitely staying.”
⚫️🔴 Billy Vunipola commits future to Saracens. 👉 https://t.co/qSI5FZL6vB pic.twitter.com/DWdHWmDr5v
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) March 25, 2020
Vunipola missed every match of England’s truncated Six Nations after sustaining a fourth broken arm against Racing 92 in January and he admits that in the past he has contributed to his current problems.
“My arm has been pretty sore for a while,” said the 27-year-old.
“I wasn’t looking after it very well and it was a period of time in my life where I was naive in terms of recovery and taking care of myself.
“We learn lessons by going through these times. I learned some valuable ones and hopefully I can take it into these next few weeks of isolation, look after myself and try to do as much as I can with rehab. My focus is on getting my body right and not rushing it.
“The club has always backed me when I’ve been injured and my family has always been there for me whether I’ve been a bit loose or doing things I’m not supposed to be.”