Billy Vunipola on growing up during lockdown: 'My head was in the clouds'

Billy Vunipola says that life in lockdown has brought a period of reflection that he hopes will help him “keep his feet on the ground” – something he says he has failed to do in the recent past, including at last year’s World Cup when his “head was in the clouds”.

Vunipola missed the first four games of England’s Six Nations campaign with his third broken arm in recent years, so has not played since January.

“When we went into lockdown, I saw it as a great opportunity to get stronger,” he said. “There was an opportunity to just sit around and feel sorry for myself, and wallow in my own self pity.

"But I tried to improve as a person both on and off the pitch.”

Vunipola said he could have been more diligent at last year’s World Cup, but did not divulge exactly what he meant. He says, at 27, he now hopes to “grow up”.

“I think I could have been better at the World Cup off the field,” he said. “I think my head was in the clouds, that’s something I always battle with. I find it hard to keep my feet on the ground when I do something well.

“I did a lot of self-reflection after the World Cup and during this COVID period. It’s things I could have done better and things that affected the chemistry of the team. It’s been a great thing to reflect on.

“That’s been a massive challenge for me over this period of lockdown. If you reach success again, both as a team or personally, how do I stay grounded? That’s always a big challenge and I’d say my parents probably helped me the most there.

“I talked to my parents a lot about it. They are an amazing sounding board. I probably didn’t listen to them as well as I could have in the last two or three years. They gave me advice to go out there and search for a higher meaning. I had a real good look at myself.

“I always looked to blame someone else or something else and I finally realised, when I spoke to my parents, that I need to take ownership. Those guys never lie to me. It was hard to look at myself and it took a while, maybe two or three weeks to think.”

Vunipola says he cannot wait to return to action with Saracens, with whom he will stay when they are relegated to the Championship next season, against Bristol next weekend.

“I’m definitely going to be hungry on the pitch,” he said. “I feel like I’m in good shape, and am getting back to taking my training seriously, putting myself in a good position to effect games.

"Hopefully I will show you that I am different. I’ve been trying a few things in my game that might not come off, but I think I can push the boat out a little bit.”