Vunipolas and Johnstons: It’s a family affair for Rugby Union's brothers in arms

Billy and Mako Vunipola will line up for Saracens but team-mate James Johnston could face Census tonight
18 October 2013

Billy Vunipola solved his family rugby dilemma by moving clubs but Saracens team-mate James Johnston faces an uncomfortable challenge when the Premiership leaders tackle Toulouse at Wembley tonight.

Lining up for Toulouse will be Johnston’s elder brother Census, a fellow Samoa tight-head prop of equally impressive size and scrummaging power. James is in the Sarries squad alongside Billy and Mako Vunipola, whose distaste for playing against each other was a major factor in Billy’s move from London Wasps in the summer.

As Billy said: “I hated playing against Mako last year, it was one of the worst things I have ever done — I felt so awkward.”

Ironically, the Johnston brothers were the first of the two rugby families to play at Sarries together when Census was at the club in 2006.

James, the younger brother by five years, was a big but unknown tight-head prop and was released after an unsuccessful trial.

He eventually found his feet at Harlequins where they worked on his technique and fitness to turn him into an international player. “I first came to Sarries when my brother was playing here,” said James. “They invited me down to have a look at me and it didn’t go well. I wasn’t ready to be a professional and didn’t really have a clue what was going on, and the club released me. I wasn’t mentally prepared to be a professional rugby player and looking back, it was the best thing that happened to me.

“It woke me up and I realised I had to work much harder. Then Harlequins came in for me — and the rest is history.”

Johnston was targeted by Sarries last season when they were outmuscled in the Premiership semi-finals by Northampton and suffered similar problems in the close-quarter combat in a Heineken Cup semi with Toulon, the eventual champions.

Those experiences convinced Saraecens, led by director of rugby Mark McCall that the squad needed beefing up and the obvious answer was to bring in 20st ball-carrying forwards. The men they chose were Billy Vunipola and James Johnston, who had delivered that kind of effort for Wasps and Quins.

Billy has made a bigger impact for his new club having been used on a regular basis at either No8 or blind-side flanker while James has bided his time and operated as back-up to Lions prop Matt Stevens, arguably the form tight-head in England.

For Billy, playing in the same team as Mako — who is two years older — has brought back good memories and they look certain to take their ball-carrying double act into the England team for next month’s Tests against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand.

However, their focus now is on Toulouse, a team packed with international talent and big forwards.

Billy’s Cup debut in the 23-17 win over Connacht saw him carry the ball nine times making 25 metres, put in 12 tackles and win two crucial turnovers, as highlighted by the Amlin Opta Index statistics.

He is aiming to deliver another big game tonight and said: “Before moving to Sarries, I last played with Mako when we were both in the England Under-18 team and we do feed off each other on the pitch. That was a long time ago now. We talk to each other about what to do during the game, he will tell me to stay out of the ruck or get involved and vice versa.

“I am probably the same weight as last season [19st 11lbs] but it’s more muscle because of the work I am doing in training. It is similar work but just more of it and I don’t like to compare the clubs but you really do have to pull your weight here at Sarries. The back row is very competitive and we operate a rotation policy. You feel the heat to perform each time you get onto the pitch.

“I am asked to carry the ball which I love doing, and being either No6 or No8 doesn’t really change the way I play or what I am expected to do on the pitch.”

Billy will be at flanker tonight with Ernsts Joubert at No8 and Jacques Burger returning to take over the open- side flanker role.

Brought to you by Amlin, proud sponsors of European rugby, in their fifth season as Title Partner of the Amlin Challenge Cup and Premium Partner of the Heineken Cup.

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