Billy Vunipola makes bold claim after swapping Saracens for Montpellier
Montpellier and former England number eight Billy Vunipola.
Former England number eight Billy Vunipola believes he is fitter since making the move to Top 14 outfit Montpellier from Premiership club Saracens.
The 31-year-old left Saracens after an 11-year stint with the North London side.
His decision to join the Top 14 club means he will not be allowed to further his international career with the Red Rose due to the Rugby Football Union’s policy of not selecting overseas-based players for Test duty.
“I’m probably in better shape than I’ve ever been in the last two or three years,” Vunipola told RugbyRama.”This is not due to my previous club, it is me who is responsible.
‘I really enjoyed the challenges’
“I said, when I got here and discovered the environment, I just had to make do. I really enjoyed the challenges it gave me.”
Vunipola, who has made 75 Test appearances for England, has been struggling with injuries before moving to Montpellier and made his last appearance for England as a replacement during their Rugby World Cup semi-final defeat to the Springboks in France last year.
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After playing most of his professional career alongside his older brother, Mako, for England and Saracens, the siblings faced off against each other on the weekend when Montpellier clinched a 26-24 victory over Vannes in their Top 14 clash.
The younger Vunipola admitted that it was a strange experience for both of them.
‘The distance has brought us closer’
“I think the distance has brought us closer, knowing that he’s not there all the time,” added Billy Vunipola.
“As a result, we enjoy these moments together much more. It’s not that I didn’t like it, but you get used to it after 10 or 11 years.
“It was very nice to see him, but it was very difficult to play against him. I wouldn’t say I was trying to avoid him, but let’s say I wasn’t really trying to attack him.”