- Billy Vunipola was arrested after a drunken incident in a nightclub in Mallorca
- The England international returned to England with his teammates on Tuesday
- Vunipola will join Montpellier from Saracens at the end of the season
Billy Vunipola will return to training at Saracens today as the club prepares to hold meetings to decide whether their veteran No 8 should face any action over his arrest and court appearance in Mallorca.
The 31-year-old was off duty and at home in Hertfordshire yesterday as he and his team-mates had an extra day off after their trip to the Balearic Islands as there is no game this weekend.
Saracens are due to reconvene at their base outside St Albans on Wednesday morning to begin preparations for a crucial Premiership clash with Bristol at Ashton Gate on May 11.
Beforehand, Vunipola will discover if he will be punished for the events that occurred in Palma early last Sunday, when he had to receive two Taser shocks before being immobilized by the Police.
He issued a statement apologizing for his conduct, after receiving a €240 (£205) fine and a four-month suspended prison sentence for resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer.
Billy Vunipola is expected to escape severe punishment after being arrested in Mallorca
The England international was involved in a drunken incident in a nightclub in Palma
Spanish police Taser shirtless Vunipola before arrest
Sources in France have indicated that Montpellier are expected to go ahead as planned with the signing of younger brother Vunipola at the end of this season. He is expected to visit the club next month for a rigorous medical and, provided there are no red flags, he and his brother Majo should move in in the summer.
Saracens’ response is not expected to be harsh, despite their stated intention to investigate what happened at the team and staff’s latest social event.
On Monday, the club issued a brief statement saying: ‘Saracens is aware of an incident involving Billy Vunipola in Mallorca. We will of course deal with this incident internally and will not make any further comment until then.’
With players, coaches and staff returning to work today, meetings are expected to take place to build a full picture of the episode in Palma. However, at this stage, the most likely cause of action is a warning or reprimand from the club rather than a suspension.
Vunipola still faces a struggle to say goodbye to Saracens properly, having been a stalwart of their glory era since 2013.
He was a replacement at Bath last Friday and may find it difficult to usurp any of the starting full-backs that night.
The incident took place in the Epic bar in Palma early Sunday morning
Vunipola has played 75 times for England since making his debut in 2013.
Ben Earl is a determined starter, Tom Willis impressed as the chosen number 8 and Argentine wing Juan Martín González has become one of the best signings of the season, with a series of imperious performances.
But the motivation will not be lacking. Vunipola will be desperate for the chance to contribute to a successful swan song at the end of the season. Following their trip to Bristol, Saracens will host Sale, the team they beat in the Premiership final last June, aiming to secure a home play-off, as a vital step towards retaining their title.
The Anglo-Tongan giant in their ranks will hope to play some part in that final epic quest and make up for last weekend’s drama.