Billy Vunipola escapes RFU slap over Taser arrest | Saracens

Billy Vunipola can finish the season at Saracens after escaping a ban from the Rugby Football Union, which instead handed the No8 a formal warning following his arrest in Mallorca.

The RFU cautioned Vunipola under its rule governing misconduct, but given the striker’s remorse and “the circumstances surrounding the incident”, the union did not consider it appropriate to take further disciplinary action. In fact, the RFU have given Vunipola – who will move to France in the summer – a slap on the wrist.

It is the second time Vunipola has been formally warned by the RFU, having received the same sanction in April 2019 for showing support for Israel Folau, who made homophobic comments on social media. However, since warnings only remain on players’ records for five years, this specific incident was not taken into account.

The RFU have cited a different ruling than when Danny Cipriani was arrested in Jersey in 2018 while playing for Gloucester. At the time, Cipriani was found to have brought the game into disrepute by the union after pleading guilty to assault and resisting arrest. The RFU imposed no further sanctions. Gloucester had decided to fine Cipriani £2,000, while Saracens had simply opted to caution Vunipola and condemn his behavior.

“The RFU has reviewed the information provided to Saracens following its investigation into the incident involving Billy Vunipola in Mallorca on April 27, which resulted in the club issuing him a formal warning,” an RFU said -Explanation. “We have also considered Billy’s apologies, his clear remorse and the circumstances of the incident and have concluded that the most appropriate course of action is to issue a formal warning in accordance with RFU Regulation 19.6.13. “This warning will last for five years long on his record and can be used in future disciplinary proceedings.

“It was made clear to Billy that, as an experienced and respected player, such actions could bring the game as a whole into disrepute. In particular, such actions clearly violate the core values ​​of rugby, which the sport as a whole works hard to promote.”

Vunipola was tasered twice and was recently arrested in Palma during a troop tour following a victory over Bath. He was subsequently fined €240 (£205) in a summary trial for defying the law. The 31-year-old publicly apologized and has since explained that it was difficult for him to “know when to stop drinking”, alongside Saracens’ director of rugby Mark McCall, stressing the importance of ” Support and help” instead of punishing indiscretions.

The result is that Vunipola is free to play for Saracens against Bristol on Saturday, as well as Sale and the Premiership play-offs the following weekend, assuming the defending champions qualify. He is expected to leave Saracens at the end of the season and join Montpellier.

Meanwhile, Steve Borthwick has an escalating problem in the second row for England’s summer tour of Japan and New Zealand after Ollie Chessum was ruled out following shoulder surgery. The 23-year-old has emerged as a key member of Borthwick’s forward group but England now have to contend with Eddie Jones’ Japan and the All Blacks without him.

His absence is all the more acute as Maro Itoje could potentially reach the maximum playing limit for the season before the tour, raising questions about his availability. Itoje and George Martin started the last two Six Nations games in the second row, with Chessum shifting to the blindside flanker. Chessum’s absence opens the door for Ethan Roots, who made his Six Nations debut, as well as Chandler Cunningham-South – the Harlequins’ in-form backrower who grew up in New Zealand.

“Leicester Tigers rule out Ollie Chessum and will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season after he underwent successful surgery to repair a persistent injury,” Leicester said in a statement. “The 23-year-old will begin his rehabilitation shortly and is expected to be available for the first round of the 2024-25 season.”