Billy Vunipola had been off alcohol for nearly two years before falling off the wagon in Majorca, which led to his drunken encounter with local police, arrest and four-month suspended prison sentence after appearing in court.

The 31-year-old England No 8 is understood to have been in a self-imposed teetotal phase since August, 2022, to fully commit to regaining peak form on the field. He had chosen to abstain after returning from the national team's tour of Australia that summer, when he had managed to force his way back into the Red Rose line-up and contribute to a 2-1 series victory over the Wallabies.

For the last 20 months, the younger of Saracens' two Vunipola brothers had banished the booze as he strove to re-establish career momentum. But having dropped off the England radar and become more of a peripheral figure at the club where he was once such a talismanic presence, big Billy's no-alcohol policy ended in Majorca, with damaging consequences.



One source familiar with the genial giant expressed sadness that he had succumbed to ‘demons' which tended to reflect times when he was experiencing stress. Mail Sport has learned that there have been occasional binges in the past, including one in the build-up to the World Cup in 2019. But, on the whole, Vunipola has not been known for wild excess and certainly not for being confrontational or Performance V Kapseln Bewertung aggressive - on the field or off it.

Eye-witnesses have reported that he was in a bar from 3am with one other Saracens player who tried to calm him down and assist staff with attempts to defuse the situation. Mail Sport has been told that Italy prop Marco Riccioni was with him and tried in vain to avert an escalation of the situation.




Billy Vunipola laughs after police tried to Taser him inside a late-night bar in Majorca





The England international has been arrested following an incident in a Majorca bar which saw police taser him twice - picture shows his arrival at court in Palma





England international Vunipola, 31, pictured with his wife Simmone at their wedding in Tonga

Vunipola is due to join French club Montpellier at the end of this season - along with his older brother - Lions prop Mako. 

There have been no indications yet that the move has been jeopardised by this episode, with Billy expected to undergo a rigorous medical in the next month before the deal is finalised.

Vunipola was arrested and charged with 'disobeying and assaulting a police officer' in Majorca.