Experienced England forward in talks over Japan move as Premiership exodus set to continue – report

England could see yet another player depart the Premiership and make themselves unavailable for international duty from next season.

Saracens number eight Billy Vunipola is reportedly in talks with Suntory Sungoliath over potentially moving to Asia at the end of the season.

Vunipola is out of contract at the conclusion of the 2023/24 campaign and could well fancy picking up a lucrative deal now that he is the wrong side of 30.

Saracens

According to the Daily Mail, the 31-year-old has been offered a new contract by his club, but the option of switching to Japan could prove to be very tempting.

His situation with England may well be the deciding factor. It is understood that Vunipola is not one of the players that will be offered a hybrid contract by the Rugby Football Union, despite featuring in five games at the Rugby World Cup.

Vunipola went into the training camp ahead of the global tournament nursing an injury but was trusted heavily by Steve Borthwick.

The head coach selected the Sarries powerhouse as his only out-and-out number eight in the squad, with the likes of Alex Dombrandt, Tom Willis and the much-touted Zach Mercer missing out.

However, Vunipola was still usurped in the pecking order by his club team-mate Ben Earl, who proved to be England’s breakout star at the World Cup.

Earl was comfortably the Red Rose’s best player in France as they came so close to upsetting South Africa and reaching the final of the competition.

Semi-final struggle

When Vunipola came on in the final quarter, England were leading the Springboks 15-6 but he struggled during his cameo and was partly at fault for the try which got their opponents back into the match.

He was criticised for his performance afterwards and Borthwick may lean towards picking younger number eights as preparation for the 2027 World Cup in Australia begins next month.

The head coach will name his squad for the upcoming Six Nations midway through January and it wouldn’t be a surprise should the 31-year-old miss out.

As a result, that may decide Vunipola’s next move, with Japan Rugby League One – and the finances the teams can offer – proving to be popular with current and former internationals.

There are several Springboks and All Blacks plying their trade in Asia, including Faf de Klerk, Cheslin Kolbe, Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga.

Vunipola would also join the growing number of English players moving abroad, with the likes of Jack Nowell, Sam Simmonds and Henry Arundell now playing in France’s Top 14.

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