Beast Billy has score to settle

from NEIL SQUIRES in Tokyo

opportunity to come up against the world’s best and I’m really looking forward to it.”

As their team’s primary battering rams, Vunipola and Vermeulen will be key figures as well as marked men.

The psychological impact if either is stopped in his tracks will be significant. Both sides have some destructive defenders with a taste for the big hit. “It’s something that you probably can’t measure, but I think the best way to explain it is that it’s quite contagious,” said Vunipola.

“It shows everyone it can be done, so everyone else tries to follow in the slipstreams of Underhill, Curry, Maro. It’s very easy when you see it.

“A lot of people talk about it and it’s easy to sit here and say we want to be brutal but you have to back those words up and those guys are probably the best at leading that.”

As the clock ticks down to Saturday’s final, so the outside noise builds. The players are trying to stay inside cocoons but it is not proving easy.

Even well-meaning family can complicate matters in the biggest week of their careers.

“Family is quite a broad statement. My brother deals with the tickets admin and I feel sorry for him sometimes,” said Vunipola.

“Family is massive but they can be a distraction as well. Tickets, giving you pointers on how to play rugby – my auntie is always great for that.

“She’s trying to tell me how to play No.8 and giving my brother a few pointers as well.

“Their support is very important to us but we’re trying to lock in on Saturday and see how we can come out firing.”

They will need to with the South Africans promising to give England the physical test of their lives in the final.

Vermeulen said: “England showed us against New Zealand they’re up for the challenge.

“They had a fantastic game while we just pulled through. We need to make a step up.

“It’s going to be a crunch game and it’s going to be a game won on the gain line. The team who gets over the gain line wins.” their protective