RFU to meet Billy Vunipola over support of Israel Folau

David Skippers

The RFU will meet with England back-row Billy Vunipola after he defended Wallabies full-back Israel Folau following his recent social media posts.

On Wednesday, Folau posted a message on Instagram saying homosexuals would go to hell, which resulted in Rugby Australia and New South Wales Rugby issuing a statement denouncing the “disrespectful” message and on Thursday Rugby Australia confirmed it intends to sack Folau barring “compelling mitigating factors”.

Vunipola liked Folau’s post and after being criticised for doing that the Saracens number eight posted on his own Instagram account that people should “live their lives how God intended”.

“Man was made for woman to procreate, that was the goal no?” he added in his post.

This has led to the RFU saying it intends to hold a meeting with the player.

“Rugby is an inclusive sport, and we do not support these views,” read a statement.

“We will be meeting with Billy to discuss his social media posts.”

Saracens have also released a statement in which they said they disagree with Vunipola’s stance on the Folau issue.

“Saracens proudly embraces diversity and warmly welcomes everyone to the club regardless of race, gender, religion and sexual orientation,” the statement read.

“Our sport is open to all and we strive for it to be free from all forms of discrimination. We recognise that people have different belief systems and we expect everyone to be treated equally with respect and humility.

“As representatives and role models, Saracens players have a responsibility not only to themselves but to the club and wider society. Billy Vunipola’s recent social media posts are inconsistent with this and we take this matter very seriously. It will be handled internally.”

After being criticised for liking Folau’s post, Vunipola responded in another Instagram statement earlier on Friday.

“So this morning I got three phone calls from people telling me to ‘unlike’ the Izzy Folau post,” he wrote.

“This is my position on it. I don’t HATE anyone, neither do I think I’m perfect.

“There just comes a point when you insult what I grew up believing in that you just say enough is enough – what he’s saying isn’t that he doesn’t like or love those people.

“He’s saying how we live our lives needs to be closer to how God intended them to be. Man was made for woman to procreate, that was the goal no?

“I’m not perfect – I’m at least everything on that list at least at one point in my life. It hurts to know that. But that’s why I believe there’s a God. To guide and protect us and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”