I've spent time with Billy Vunipola - the England rugby star who police Tasered and arrested on a teetotal streak-ending boozy night in Majorca. This is what he's REALLY like, writes CHRIS FOY

Billy Vunipola is not a controversial character, but he has once again stumbled into an unseemly drama, which threatens to tarnish his end-of-season send-off at Saracens.

The 31-year-old No 8 will be leaving the club in the summer, to join Montpellier, if they will still have him – and for now there is nothing to suggest they won’t. But what happened in Majorca has the potential to spoil the great farewell at a club he has served with distinction for more than a decade, stockpiling medals and titles along the way.

There was a mood of shock and palpable sadness when the news broke of his clash with Police and security staff at a bar in Palma. This is a popular player, but one who has intermittently undermined his own reputation, with erratic behaviour. 

The latest episode came after a long spell of being teetotal, in a bid to rediscover his peak form. That concerted commitment didn’t survive a club social trip to the Balearics and now Vunipola must wait to find out the extent of the repercussions.

Perhaps he won’t play for the Premiership champions again. It would be a crying shame if he were to drift away, having been marginalised beyond all redemption by something like that.

There have been lapses before. In 2019, he and Ben Te’o apologised to England team-mates for staying out drinking later than the rest of the squad after a 38-38 draw with Scotland. In the same year, there was a homophobia furore – after he came out in support of Israel Folau, following discriminatory remarks made by the Australia full-back. That summer, Vunipola clashed with Steve Borthwick, who was England forwards coach at the time, which led to an apology last year.

'I was very, very ahead of myself back then,’ said Billy. 'I had a conversation with Steve about rugby after training when we were in Treviso. I said a few things that were out of line. I said some things that never should have been said to Steve in that way, but also in front of other people. He should never have been in that situation where I've made him feel like I was patronising towards him. Especially as an elder, not just the coach but someone who's older than me. It was very disrespectful.’

Rewind further and Vunipola was accused of having an attitude problem when he joined up with the England squad in New Zealand, in 2014. He later expressed regret for his conduct at that time.

But he is not a cocky person. He is genial giant by nature, one who has regularly castigated himself as arrogant when he doesn’t come across that way. Far from it. Overall, he is incredibly polite and respectful. He is quietly spoken and often comes across as shy and deferential to older brother Mako, to his parents and authority figures in general. His mother, Singa, is a Methodist preacher and instilled good values in the young Billy.

So, the idea of him confronting Police with aggression is hard to imagine, having spent some time around him. He is always endlessly honest and self-critical. There has been a career-long cycle of introspection and regret then periods of intense dedication and focus.

Alcohol is a release valve at times – but not often. One source spoke of him succumbing to ‘demons’ after being teetotal since August 2022. He fell off the wagon hard and has suffered reputational damage, before responding with a swift apology.

Sober, he will be consumed by guilt and shame, as the shirtless, laughing man surrounded by Police and security guards on the Majorca bar’s CCTV footage is by no means the recognisable version of the younger Vunipola brother, who has always wielded his formidable physique without malice.

So where does this leave him? That will become apparent in the next 24-48 hours as Saracens ponder their response to the ugly episode on a trip designed to boost morale in the ranks, not leave them with a problem to address. In the past, such bonding ventures have served them well in forging greater collective spirit, but this one has brought a sting in the early-hours tale.

Despite reviving his international career on the tour of Australia in 2022, Vunipola had dropped off the England radar completely after a World Cup when he was a bit-part player and his club-mate Ben Earl became the pre-eminent No 8. His impending move to Montpellier was a reflection of the fact that all hope of further Test honours had gone, so the greater riches on offer in France became difficult to ignore.

Last Friday, big Billy was held in reserve as Tom Willis played ahead of him for Saracens at Bath – as a further sign of the times. In years gone by, club and country built their attacking game around his gainline-busting carries, but that influence had faded at Test level and he had become gradually less of a mighty force in the domestic game too.

Initial indications are that he will not face significant punishment from his current employers, but that is subject to the conclusion of an internal inquest, which will intensify on Tuesday after the travelling group returned from Palma on a Monday afternoon flight.

As for his prospective future employers, Montpellier are believed to be taking stock of how the saga plays out, before deciding on their own course of action. At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that the contract offer to Vunipola will be cancelled, but time will tell. The French club have become used to outside condemnation; of certain players, coaches and even of their owner, so they have a stubborn, defiant streak in these situations.

Those who know Billy will hope that he can repent for the trouble he has caused – especially for the minor injury sustained by a Policeman tasked with subduing him, in his drunken state – and be given the benefit of the doubt; by Montpellier and by the wider rugby community. A good man has fallen off the wagon and lurched off the rails.

In theory, his career is in jeopardy, but that would be a savage price to pay.