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Vunipola celebrates his try. Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Unrepentant Vunipola says he did not intend to hurt anyone

BT Sport awarded the number 8 man of the match as Saracens defeated Munster.

SARACENS NUMBER EIGHT Billy Vunipola says he did not intend ‘to hurt anyone’ when he publically backed Israel Folau’s anti-gay social media sentiments.

The England international scored the match-sealing try as Saracens defeated Munster 32-16 in this afternoon’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final and was then named official man of the match by BT Sport’s Austin Healey – part of a commentary crew which greeted his score as a redemptive act after a week in which he was issued warnings by his club and the RFU.

Speaking to the broadcaster’s touchline reporter Sara Elgin, who asked first about his personal feelings pre-match amid the scrutiny he invited, an unrepentant Vunipola said: 

“Behind closed doors, I felt a lot of love, a lot of kindness shown to me. I’m grateful to be part of this team.

“Hopefully we keep this going, keep up what we’re doing an enjoying every minute of it.”

‘Grateful’ and ‘thankful’ were words Vunipola used time and again during the short interview without directly invoking his religious views. His interviewer again pointed out that the crowd had felt moved to boo him for his stance, but he declined to direct a response their way.

“No, from my point of view: I believe what I believe in. There was no intention to hurt anyone, it was never my intention. I’m just grateful to be able to play, to be fit and hopefully we’ll see those guys in the final.”

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    Mute adrian mc guinness
    Favourite adrian mc guinness
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    Jan 25th 2019, 9:30 PM

    Does that mean they paid off the first guys contract in October and have now rehired him while now having to pay off henrys contract? And all the while zero improvement on form! What a mess

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    Mute Simon Doherty
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    Jan 25th 2019, 11:47 PM

    So basically we’re going to be stuck with that boll!x back on Sky soon.

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    Mute Damien Byrne
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    Jan 25th 2019, 11:03 PM

    Villa dodged a bullet there

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    Mute Davedental
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    Jan 25th 2019, 10:32 PM

    What about Henry? He was on a three year contract!! Does he get paid for that in full? What an absolute croc of shxt.

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    Mute Stevie Doran
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    Jan 25th 2019, 11:53 PM

    Thought Henry would have. The sense to start managing at the lower leagues and work his way up.

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    Mute Ben Jamen
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    Jan 25th 2019, 11:25 PM

    So you’re so sh*te at your job, you are fired after a few months and the guy you replaced is replacing you… good job Thierry.

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    Mute Kieran Biggins
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    Jan 26th 2019, 9:14 AM

    Handball Henry. Karma is a bitch.

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