Billy Vunipola has been handed a major boost with his red card in Saturday’s Champions Cup defeat by the Bulls being overturned.
Saracens star Vunipola can now contest selection for Saturday’s Champions Cup clash against Connacht at StoneX Stadium.
The England powerhouse was sent off at Loftus Versfeld for making contact with Cameron Hanekom’s head, trying to clear out a ruck, in Saracens’ 27-16 loss.
Vunipola and Saracens have successfully argued however that the contact was minimal and not worthy of a red card.
An independent disciplinary panel agreed with Saracens’ arguments.
“The committee determined that Vunipola had committed an act of foul play, however, it decided that there was insufficient force in the contact to Hanekom’s head to warrant a red card, and the red card was therefore overturned,” read a statement from tournament chiefs.
Vunipola appeared unlucky in the extreme to receive a red card for the challenge, that should likely have been sanctioned with a sin-bin during the contest.
Saracens have however received more difficult news with back-five forward Tom Willis being ruled out of action for three months with knee trouble.
Vunipola’s continued availability will offset Willis’ extended absence, with the former Wasps man now unable to mount any challenge to feature for England in the Six Nations.
Ben Earl will aim to be back in action within the next month, as the England back-rower continues to recover from a right knee injury. The World Cup star should be fit for the Six Nations, in a boost to Red Rose boss Steve Borthwick.
