- Vunipola was arrested on Sunday and tasted twice by police at a club in Mallorca
- He faced an ‘explicit trial’, followed by a fine and a four-month suspended prison sentence
- Saracens now consider the incident closed and want to focus on the Premiership title
Billy Vunipola will avoid further punishment from Saracens after the club completed an internal investigation into his arrest in Mallorca.
Number 8 Vunipola will return to training with Mark McCall’s men at their St Albans base today, just four days after his career was cast into doubt.
He was tasered by police for resisting arrest and assaulting an officer during a team trip in the Balearic Islands.
But Saracens are now ready to put the controversy surrounding his arrest behind them.
Saracens’ leading figures have discussed the events that led to 31-year-old Vunipola being tasered twice in a Palma bar in the early hours of Sunday. A drunk, shirtless Vunipola was detained and taken to hospital, where he had to be tied to a bed.
Billy Vunipola is expected to escape a serious sentence after being arrested in Mallorca
The star was tasered by police for resisting arrest and assaulting an officer during a team trip. In the photo you can see him smiling
This is the moment England rugby star Billy Vunipola laughed as he was tasered by police as they tried to throw him out of a Mallorca nightclub
Saracens’ leading figures have discussed the events and are ready to move on from the incident
He then faced an ‘explicit’ trial in court, where he was given a €240 (£205) fine and a four-month suspended prison sentence.
Saracens’ view is that the Mallorca incident is now closed and the focus should now be on the team’s bid to defend their Gallagher Premiership crown.
There is also a desire to look after the personal well-being of Vunipola, who has been a titanic figure at Saracens over the years as they have won English league and European titles. Vunipola had been completely wholeless since 2022, before the Mallorca incident. It is also acknowledged that Vunipola’s remaining time at Saracens is limited as he is expected to leave the club at the end of the season and sign for French side Montpellier.
Vunipola’s move to Montpellier is expected to go ahead despite the arrest in Mallorca.
Last season’s Premiership champions Saracens are second in the table after a 15-12 win over Bath last Friday. It was after that match that the team and staff went on a planned social gathering abroad.
Vunipola has not been as central a figure for Saracens this season as in previous seasons, but he will certainly want to end his final season at the club on a high.
Former London-Irish and England wing turned Premier League television pundit Topsy Ojo believes Vunipola and Saracens will unite in the wake of the Mallorca incident and cannot be ruled out from winning another title.
“Whatever has happened, when it is this time of year, Saracens just come in,” Ojo said. “It’s almost as if nothing from outside can penetrate this force field.
‘A lot of eyes are on teams like Northampton and Bath this season. Not many people have talked about Saracens, and that’s probably just the way they like it.
Nightclub security had tried to throw him out after he assaulted staff who warned him several times to put his shirt back on
As he tried to put his shirt back on, he was hit by a second arrow, this time incapacitating him and causing him to stumble forward.
The number 8 will look to help his side end the season on a high and defend their Premiership title
He will be available for his side’s remaining matches, away against Bristol and at home against Sale
‘Now Saracens are suddenly second and have a view of a home semi-final. Whatever happened to Billy, I’m sure Saracens will rally around each other and be ready for the Bristol game. That will be a huge game because if Bristol beat them their play-off place could be in jeopardy. I don’t think outside distractions are going to get to them.”
While Vunipola will be available for Saracens’ remaining matches in the Premier League, away against Bristol and at home against Sale, his teammate Maro Itoje is doubtful for those games.
Itoje faced a disciplinary hearing last night for a dangerous tackle on Bath’s Alfie Barbeary and will learn his fate today. If Itoje is found guilty, he will likely be suspended for two or three games.