Billy’s miraculous recovery all down to me, says Mako

MAKO VUNIPOLA claims his brother Billy’s remarkable recovery from injury was hastened by sibling rivalry. Billy, 24, is set to be named at No 8 today for England’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday, three weeks ahead of schedule. Two weeks after Billy’s operation to repair knee cartilage he tore against Argentina last November, Mako also damaged a knee but less seriously. He has returned to play at prop in all but one of England’s Six Nations matches so far. ‘For him seeing me getting injured a couple of weeks after and then getting back ahead of him probably pushed him on,’ said Mako, 26. ‘I think he was jealous that I was running before him. That’s what spurred him on to get back.’ Four years ago, when Billy burst on to the international stage as a raw 21-stone forward, he had a reputation for binge-eating and a complete disregard for conditioning. But, following his miraculous return from injury, it appears the penny has dropped. ‘He’s getting a bit older now and he knows the body is only as good as how much work you put into it,’ added Mako. ‘He’s learned that the hard way and put in the hard graft now with this injury. I’ve had a few knee injuries before and know there are no shortcuts. So for him to get back early is credit to him and the staff at Sarries and here.

‘It’s surprising how well he’s moving. It’s good to see him back and doing what he loves.’

Mako was born in New Zealand and Billy in Australia before they moved to Wales, where their father Fe’ao played for Pontypool, Pontypridd and Caerphilly. The brothers have learned not to expect sympathy when injuries occur.

‘Growing up, Dad wouldn’t accept that we were hurt,’ Mako added. ‘If we went down with a dead leg or something he would say, “Was it really an injury?” It’s come from our grandad, who always said if we broke a leg he could just buy a new one. That’s the mindset we have. If either of us go down, the other one will say, “Get back up”.’

Billy’s expected return was hinted at on a whiteboard left in sight at training on Tuesday.

It also seems that Jack Nowell, Jonathan Joseph and Ben Youngs will return but forwards coach Steve Borthwick denied anyone had blundered by leaving the board out.

‘There was nothing significant in it,’ he said.