Billy Vunipola set to escape suspension from Saracens for drunken Majorca incident in which he was tasered and arrested... as Montpellier remain keen to sign veteran England star

Billy Vunipola is set to return to training at Saracens today, as the club prepare to hold meetings to decide whether their veteran No 8 should face any action for his arrest and court appearance in Majorca.

The 31-year-old was off duty and at home in Hertfordshire yesterday, as he and his team-mates had an additional day off following their trip to the Balearics – as there is no fixture this weekend. 

Saracens are due to reconvene at their base outside St Albans on Wednesday morning to begin their build-up to a crucial Premiership showdown with Bristol at Ashton Gate on May 11.

Before then, Vunipola will discover whether he will be punished for events in Palma in the early hours of last Sunday morning, when he had to be tasered twice before being restrained by Police. 

He released a statement apologising for his conduct, after being fined €240 (£205) and handed a suspended four-month jail sentence for resisting arrest and assaulting a Police officer.

Sources in France have indicated that Montpellier are expected to go ahead as planned with their recruitment of the younger Vunipola brother at the end of this season. He is expected to visit the club next month for a stringent medical and provided there are no red flags raised, he and brother Majo should be making the move in the summer.

The response from Saracens is not expected to be severe, despite their stated intention of looking into what happened on the latest squad and staff social event. 

On Monday, the club released a short statement which read: ‘Saracens is aware of an incident involving Billy Vunipola in Majorca. We will of course deal with this incident internally and will not make any further comment until then.’

With players, coaches and staff all back 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 club warning or rebuke rather than any suspension.

Vunipola still faces a struggle to sign off from Saracens in fitting fashion, 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 back-rowers that night. 

Ben Earl is a nailed-on starter, Tom Willis impressed as the chosen No 8 and Argentine flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez has emerged as one of the top signings of the season, with a series of imperious performances.

But there will be no shortage of motivation. Vunipola will be desperate for a chance to contribute to a successful swansong, at the business end of the season. After their trip to Bristol, Saracens will host Sale – the team they beat in the Premiership Final last June – with the target of securing a home play-off, as a vital step towards retaining their title. 

The Anglo-Tongan giant in their ranks will hope that he can play some part in that last epic quest and make up for the drama last weekend.