By Chris Foy for The Mail on Sunday
Published: 22:34 BST, 20 April 2019 | Updated: 23:53 BST, 20 April 2019
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Billy Vunipola knew what was coming. He presented Munster's hordes of fans with a huge target to aim at and they did not miss — but when his chance eventually came, neither did he.
Saracens' England No 8 had spent the previous eight days in the eye of a storm, after taking to social media in clumsy support of disgraced Australia full-back Israel Folau.
His decision to blunder into a moral maze — stating 'man was made for woman to procreate', in keeping with his religious beliefs — prompted an outcry and an official warning from the RFU.
Billy Vunipola took to social media in support of disgraced Australia full-back Israel Folau
There was a hostile reception for the younger Vunipola brother last Saturday in Bristol, where he made an appearance as a replacement, and it was the same in Coventry as he lined up from the start at the Ricoh Arena. Saracens may have dominated on the pitch but Munster's fabled Red Army dominated the stands and they gave the pantomime villain no respite.
It started before kick-off, when the teams were announced. While the heavily out-numbered 'home' fans tried to offer cheers of encouragement, they were drowned out
