Image source, InphoImage caption, Billy Vunipola can win his first trophy with Montpellier in Friday's Challenge Cup final against Ulster
ByAndy GrayBBC Sport NI Journalist- Published23 minutes ago
It's the week of a European final and Billy Vunipola is facing the media.
Instead of the usual stock answers that come from many athletes before big games, full of the usual tropes and cliches, the Montpellier back row takes a second before responding to questions.
Not just once, but on a host of topics, ranging from eligibility, ruling out a switch to Tonga, proving himself in France and on his most immediate focus - Friday's Challenge Cup final against Ulster.
The former England number eight made the move to the Top14 in 2024 after his long, trophy-laden association with Saracens came to an end.
But this was far from a payday to see him off into the sunset of his career.
The 33-year-old said he had the "same mindset" joining Montpellier as an established international in 2024, as he did when he made the switch from Wasps to Saracens as an up-and-coming 21-year-old in 2013.
"I had to prove myself to every single person in the changing rooms that I wasn't here for a pay cheque," he said.
"I wasn't here to pack up my bags and enjoy the last few years of my career.
"It was the same noises when I left Wasps to go to Saracens. I had to knuckle down and prove to them that I was there for rugby."
But those doubts weren't just external, he also had to prove it to himself.
"I always knew that no matter what I could say to them, the only way I could prove that I was here for the right reasons was to show them.
"There was those doubts in my mind and I had to prove to myself almost that I can still do this.
"It was great to have a challenge where I was the new kid at school almost."
After a poor first campaign in France for Vunipola - where he says relegation forces you to raise you game, yet the culture is more "relaxing" than England - Montpellier are second in the Top 14 and are looking to win the Challenge Cup for the third time.
Vunipola added that it is a "joy" at Montpellier and "I want to try and keep going as long as I can".
"I can still jam at 33. I thought I'd be done by now, but I still feel good," he continued.
"The sun helps a lot and being surrounded by young players who have just got energy all the time just makes you feel young. "
Montpellier v Ulster
Challenge Cup final
Friday, 22 May at 20:00 BST
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Tonga switch 'didn't feel right'
After the 2023 World Cup, Vunipola had started slip off the international radar - partly due to form and the emergence of back row rivals, but also when he was charged with "resisting the law" when on holiday in Majorca in April 2024.
His move to France later that year only solidified the end of his England chances.
Given his heritage, there were reports that he had been approached to change his international allegiance to Tonga ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
But Vunipola has ruled that out, and admits "I think always knew deep down" that a switch to Tonga was not on the cards.
"I played a lot of times for England, so it just doesn't feel right," Vunipola said of his decision.
"I'm very proud to be Tongan, but at the same time, I'm very proud to be English too.
"To have represented England is a massive honour, and if 2023 was the last time I ever play for England then it is enough for me."
When it comes to the Rugby Football Union's policy of not selecting players outside of England for international duty, Vunipola adds that "the rules are the rules" and changing it to a case-by-case basis would "open the floodgates for everyone".
"I wasn't really in the team anyway, but I made my decision knowing that was the rule, I made peace with it.
"If they decide to change it, they change it, but I think there's enough quality within England to be successful and they have been."
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Vunipola's last England cap came in the 2023 World Cup semi-final defeat by South Africa
The topic of eligibility came up after former South African underage international Benhard Janse van Rensburg was named by England head coach Steve Borthwick, which drew criticism from Danny Care.
Like on the selection of overseas players, Vunipola again said "it's the rules", adding "I don't make them and he's been selected, so congratulations to him".
"He's qualified and he's good enough to be selected. However, I would say there are good players in that position.
"Like Danny Care put it, and it's a great point, it's not like they're struggling at centre.
"But he's playing well, he's done his time, he's qualified, and the coaches make those decisions. Again."
When the Top 14 season ends, Vunipola will be watching England take on the new Nations Championship.
"I'm a supporter, first of all," said Vunipola.
"I'm just as excited as everyone else to see what this competition is going to be like.
"I want them to express themselves and just have that freedom to be that team that played against France because that's the English team that I know.
"I think that could take them forward and hopefully make them more successful than they are now."
'They have nothing to lose and everything to gain'
While Vunipola no longer dons the black and red of Saracens, he had some nice words to say about Mark McCall, who will leave his role as director of rugby at the end of the season.
McCall has been with the club for 17 years, and brought Vunipola over from Wasps in 2013.
Together, they won three European Cups and four English Premiership titles.
"He had a massive influence on me as a person, but he changed my mindset," he said.
"I thought that I was good, but he just challenged me every day to be better.
"That helped me to be more driven in searching for ways to be better and to essentially be grow into the player that I could have been.
"Everything that happened with Saracens, I don't think would have happened if it wasn't for him, his influence on the team and the amount of knowledge that he has for rugby. I'm very grateful to him."
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ulster-born Mark McCall will leave Saracens at the end of the season after 17 years with the club
In a trophy-laden career, Vunipola has the opportunity to win his first silverware with Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final in Bilbao on Friday against Ulster.
It's last chance saloon for Ulster after Richie Murphy's young side missed out on the United Rugby Championship play-offs, and the automatic Champions Cup qualification that comes with it.
The Irish province, who will be without several key players, have one final game to secure a place back at Europe's top table, but to do so they have to beat Montpellier and end their 20-year trophy drought.
"When we look at Ulster, we see a team that's very well organised, but also they can play in the chaos.
"We are very aware of the weapons that they have and the fact that it's their last game, they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
"We know what they're going to bring in terms of their rugby, but we also know that they're willing to go deep, both physically and mentally."
