The exodus of English champions towards the Top14 French continues. The relocation of the pylon was officially announced today Mako Vunipola from the multiple English and European champions Saracens to the newly promoted Valvesthe first Breton team to reach the top division in France, where the Azzurri also played in ProD2 in the past Manoa Vosawai ed Edward Iachizzi.
Legend of the Saracens
Vunipola was introduced on his new club’s social media as «a true legend of English rugby, he comes from Saracens, a club with which he has practically seen and won everything». Mako, 33, has a 13-year history in the Sarries shirt, winning four Premierships and three Champions Cups. This is his first experience abroad. In January, the prop announced his international retirement after 79 caps with England, three Six Nations victories (2016, 2017, 2020), the 2019 World Cup runner-up title and three tours with the British & Irish Lions.
Brother Billy in Montpellier
In addition to Mako, his brother also lands in France from Saracens Billy Vunipola31 years old, third line center. He goes to play in Montpelliersaved in Top14 only by winning the play-off with Grenoble, runner-up in ProD2. If the last two arrivals of the French championship can afford to spend like this at the home of one of the big teams of the English championship it means only one thing. That the economic gap between the Top 14 and the other most important championship in the world has further widened. The Vunipola brothers are at the end of their careers, they will also go to France to secure their “pension” with the last generous salary, the Saracens will have let them go also because they are setting up a new cycle, the fact remains that the difference between the French championship and the rest of the world has now become abysmal. Behind the level of the national teams there are the Top 14 and the Champions Cup, everything else comes at a great distance. The French championship is the real NBA of rugby, with promotions and relegations instead of blocked rankings.
The other English in France
A theory confirmed by all the other English champions who have decided to cross the Channel for the contracts assured by the Top 14. The Vunipola brothers join Owen Farrell and Henry Arundell (Racing 92), Courtney Lawes, the new English champion who moves to Brive (ProD2), Manu Tuilagi (Bayonne), Jonny May (Soyaux-Angouleme in ProD2), Kyle Sinclair and Lewis Ludlam (Toulon), Jack Willis (Toulouse), Joe Marchand (Stade Francais) and many other lesser-known names. In addition to the top players of other national teams, the last two in order of time are Gianmarco Lucchesi (Toulon) and Giacomo Nicotera (Stade Francais) for Italy.
