Vunipola tipped for Lions role (From Bucks Free Press)

Greenwood backs Wasps star for British Lions

11:00am Friday 1st February 2013 in Sport By Alan Feldberg

FORMER World Cup winner Will Greenwood has backed Billy Vunipola to come up on the rails and make The Lions squad.

Greenwood says the improvement from last year to this has been immense and the 20-year-old should now be considered a genuine contender by Lions coach Warren Gatland.

He said: “Billy Vunipola is a big mover in more ways than one. He is a young lad whose error count last season was too high and his fitness not good enough.

“Now he looks like a man, and a big, big one at that. He is an outstanding ball carrier, and he has great hands.

“His discipline has improved enormously and he has remained very explosive, in a good way.

“He is not super fit yet, but looking like someone you would consider at international level which has been rewarded by the Saxons berth.”

“The No8 slot is not nailed down for England and with performances like he put in December will only ensure he steps closer to England – and even a berth on the Lions.”

Greenwood was speaking after Vunipola was named Aviva Premiership Player of the Month for December.

He is the second Wasp to get the award this season, after Joe Launchbury.