One by one, the victors spoke up in support of Billy Vunipola, after Saracens and their pantomime villain dismantled Munster to reach the Champions Cup final.
If it was an uncomfortable occasion for the England No 8 in Coventry on Saturday, he did not let it show.
Taunted as a homophobe by Irish fans — some of whom waved pride flags — Vunipola's response was a tour de force of ball-carrying, capped by a try and a prize.
Saracens' Billy Vunipola responded to taunts from Munster fans with a solid performance
Days earlier, Saracens' director of rugby, Mark McCall, had described Billy as 'sensitive but strong'.
There was more of the latter than the former as he dealt with the backlash against his ill-advised social media post, which sought to show solidarity with disgraced Australia full-back Israel Folau, whose career is in jeopardy following homophobic outbursts.
The half-empty stands at the Ricoh Arena were dominated by Munster fans. They booed and abused Vunipola throughout this ultimately one-sided semi-final, but he had the last laugh, when he touched down and smiled and waved at them.
To twist the knife, he was named man of the match and embarked on a lap of honour. He kept his cool when a pitch-invader confronted him.
That Munster fan was held by security staff — after what amounted to a significant breach — just as Saracens were sticking their heads above the parapet to give their embattled forward backing.
His older brother, Mako, described himself as 'massively proud', after celebrating Billy's try with gusto from the bench.
Saracens' Vunipola was confronted by a Munster fan after the game on Saturday afternoon
The Lions prop added: 'He just went out there and did his bit for the team. He showed how much he cares for the players around him.'
Asked if he had felt defensive while his sibling was being subjected to a torrent of derision in
