REVEALED: England number 8 Billy Vunipola is leaving Saracens at the end of the season

The No8, who last represented England in their Rugby World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa in October, is said to have engaged in discussions with Montpellier officials via a Zoom call earlier this week, according to Rugby Pass' transfer expert Neil Fissler.

Sources suggest that Vunipola has reached an agreement on a multi-year contract worth approximately £250,000 per season with the French club.

Born in Australia to Tongan parents, Vunipola spent his formative years in Wales and the South West of England before earning a scholarship to attend Harrow School.

During his time at Harrow, he was scouted by Wasps Academy, where he made his senior debut at the age of 18, featuring in 30 matches over two seasons before joining Saracens.

Vunipola's impactful performances earned him recognition, including the Premiership Land Rover Discovery of the Season award during a campaign in which Saracens set a Premiership record for points accumulated in a regular term.

Having surpassed 150 appearances for Saracens in 2022, Vunipola has established himself as a vital component of the squad, both domestically and internationally.

His contributions at club level have translated to success on the international stage with England, where he made his debut during the 2013 Summer Tour of Argentina, accumulating over 60 caps since then.

Hailing from a lineage of rugby talent, Vunipola's family ties include his father and uncle's representation of Tonga, cousin Taulupe Faletau's appearances for Wales and the British & Irish Lions, and brother Mako's status as a Saracens and England teammate, alongside younger cousin Manu's emergence in the Saracens setup during the 2018/19 season.

Saracens' director of rugby, Mark McCall, finds himself with financial resources to bolster his squad. Racing will reportedly pay around £500,000 to secure Farrell's release from the remaining year of his contract.

Additionally, Farrell's hefty salary of nearly £800,000 per year will be removed from Saracens' wage bill.

However, the challenge of replacing him at fly-half is anticipated to be a formidable task for the club.

London’s Premiership champions are in the early stages of discussions with England wingers Jonny May and Joe Cokanasiga regarding a potential move to the capital at the conclusion of the season.

However, there's no guarantee that either player will put pen to paper.

The Saracens is actively exploring options for the back three in the upcoming season, considering experienced Scotland and Lions tourist Sean Maitland, along with Alex Lewington and Ben Harris are set to leave the club.

May well and truly announced himself on the international stage with an extraordinary maiden Test try against New Zealand in November 2014.

Marchant is gearing up for a comeback on the international stage by securing a move to Premiership champions Saracens from French side Stade Francais.

The 27-year-old played a crucial role for Steve Borthwick's national team during last year's World Cup, contributing to their third-place finish.

Marchant featured in six starting games out of seven and made a substitute appearance in the remaining match.

Despite having committed to joining the Top 14 and Stade Francais before the tournament, an agreement was in place that would render him unavailable for Test selection during his tenure with the Parisian club.

As reported by the Mail Online, Marchant's stint in the French capital is expected to be a brief one, with Saracens, the Premiership titleholders, on the verge of bringing him back to his home country.

Stade Francais currently holds the second position in the Top 14, trailing behind Racing 92. However, the allure of resuming international rugby is believed to be a significant factor influencing Marchant's decision.

Lauded as a fly-half with sharp intellect both on and off the field, Garbisi is recognized for his astute rugby skills and decision-making prowess.

Balancing his rugby pursuits with a commitment to law studies, the young talent has already achieved notable milestones in his professional rugby journey, signaling a bright future in the sport.

As a current member of Montpellier, the prospect of him stepping in for Farrell makes for an enticing and exciting possibility.

In the midst of a front-row injury saga, the London club has enlisted the expertise of former Falcons and Leicester Tigers prop Logovi’i Mulipola as a temporary solution.

Amidst the ongoing injury challenges and with an eye on the future, it has come to light that Mark McCall’s side has successfully secured the talents of promising prop Phil Brantingham from Newcastle, as reported by Planet Rugby.

The 22-year-old has inked a deal with the London club, set to be in effect for the 2024/25 season. However, Saracens are keen on fast-tracking his integration into their squad, aiming to bolster their ranks sooner rather than later.

Our latest quiz invites you to identify those who have captained their nations to Guinness Six Nations glory. It's worth noting that in certain instances, there may be multiple captains from the same year due to factors such as injuries and rotation.

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