McCall sings Vunipola’s praises

Editor

Saracens boss Mark McCall praised Billy Vunipola, after the number eight produced a barnstorming performance in Saturday’s 22-6 win against London Irish.

Vunipola was a constant menace for the Exiles defence, with his powerful running from the base of the Saracens scrum and in the loose a particular highlight in a Man of the Match performance from the England back rower.

Speaking after the game, McCall said: “That’s five games in a row that Billy has been there or thereabouts in terms of being Man of the Match, he was brilliant again today and that’s good for both ourselves and England that he’s back in some form.

“He was great.

“We also had young Nick Tompkins, who I thought was outstanding and Maro Itoje coming off the bench as well as your Jamie George’s, your George Kruis’ as well, who really contributed”.

“There’s a lot of people who have come through our academy who played out there today, and a lot of these young players led the way”.

Vunipola praised his fellow forwards for their contribution at a weather effected Allianz Park.

“It was a tough game,” he said.

“I think it was really important for us to get the win today after they beat us in this fixture last year.

“I’m just happy that we did the job, and to somehow get the Man of the Match on the back of that is great.

“I think we had to cut into them today and try and stop their momentum as much as we could.

“I think a lot of today’s win was down to the pack, and the work we all did in the set-piece, in those scrums and line-outs”.

Looking ahead, he added: “It’s now five weeks on the run that we’ve won games.

“You can’t read that much into it, but it does give the boys a lot more confidence going into some really important games in both the Premiership and the Champions Cup.

“We’re looking forward to the challenges ahead”.