ON THE BLINDSIDE
Billy Vunipola is preparing to join the long list of England internationals leaving the Premiership following the World Cup this year and secure a move to either France or Japan.
Saracens announced on Thursday that they had signed Tom Willis in a deal that Blindside flagged up at the start of December, and that is likely to hasten the departure of the England No.8.
Vunipola, 30, a World Cup finalist in 2019, started his career at Wasps, moving to Saracens two years later and has won three Champions Cups and four Premiership titles.
He was heavily linked with Bordeaux-Begles in December 2021 but opted to pen a new deal with Saracens along with brother Mako, but is likely to leave this summer.
He could be too expensive for Castres, Bayonne and Brive, who are all looking for a No.8, which could mean a move to Japan is more likely.
Meanwhile, Saracens are leading the hunt to make Bath blindside Tom Ellis, below, the next player that Mark McCall takes to north London for next season. Ellis, 28, a former England U20 international, was called into an Eddie Jones’ training squad in May 2017 and has been a regular in Johann van Graan’s squad at The Rec this season.
He has made 199 appearances since moving to Bath in 2014, but this is likely to be his last season at the club, with McCall lining him up for a move to his Premiership table toppers this summer.
