Billy Vunipola: Injury layoff "a blessing in disguise"

Billy Vunipola has said that missing six weeks with an ankle injury has been a "blessing in disguise".

The number eight picked up a sprain while on duty with England in the Six Nations earlier this year, but made his comeback for Saracens during their Heineken Cup quarter-final win over Ulster last weekend.

The 21-year-old, who is in the starting lineup for this afternoon's match against Northampton Saints, told Sky Sports News: "Physically I feel ready and that that's why the six weeks off was a blessing in disguise. I'd played a lot of games heading into the Ireland game when I was injured.

"When I was injured I said it was one of the worst things in my life because I was ill as well, which meant I dropped around four kilograms.

"The six weeks gave me a chance to rest and that's why I was raring to go against Ulster. It could be one hell of a 10 weeks coming up, but it could be the saddest 10 weeks as well."

Saracens currently top the table, sitting seven points clear of this afternoon's opponents.