Premiership final: Billy Vunipola set to start Saracens showdown with Exeter

The England No8 lasted only the first half of the semi-final victory over Wasps in his latest comeback from injury

Billy Vunipola during Saracens training on Tuesday (Getty Images)

Billy Vunipola is expected to start Saturday’s Premiership final against Exeter at Twickenham as Saracens continue to monitor his tight hamstring.

The England No8 lasted only the first half of the semi-final victory over Wasps in his latest comeback from injury but director of rugby Mark McCall insists he should be given the all-clear.

Wales full-back Liam Williams could return from the shoulder issue sustained against Gloucester on 5 May but his outlook to make the showpiece against the Premiership champions is less positive.

“Billy did a little bit of training this morning (Tuesday) and will train again on Thursday,” McCall said. “We expect him to be available to play. We’ve just got to be sensible with him. Hopefully he will be OK.

“Liam Williams is touch and go and we’ll make a call on him on Thursday. Everyone else who played last weekend we hope to have available.”

Vunipola’s fitness has repercussions for England as the powerful back row has been named in Eddie Jones’ squad bound for South Africa next month.

Saracens forward Maro Itoje (Getty)

The 25-year-old returned from a fractured arm against London Irish earlier this month only to be struck by the hamstring complaint that has limited his game time ahead of the three-Test series against the Springboks.

“If his hamstring is OK and everything is OK post final, then it would be a good thing for him to go on the tour,” McCall said. “Clearly if he’s carrying something then it wouldn’t be the best for him to go on a three-week tour.”

Saracens have relinquished their European crown to Leinster this season, but they have the opportunity to reclaim the Premiership title that belongs to Exeter.

“This is our fourth final in four years – to be in seven finals out of a possible 10 is a great achievement,” McCall said. “There are quality clubs that exist in Europe and in the Premiership and so that’s something we should be proud of.

“We want to be consistent as a club and so the fact that we have made seven finals out of 10 demonstrates that.”

PA