When Mako and Billy Vunipola arrived in the UK as children after a 10,000-mile journey from Tonga, their immediate reaction was a familiar one: it's cold.

Perhaps not synonymous with the tough rugby player stereotype that has seen four generations of their family play the sport internationally, but it was January in London.

Where they moved in 1998 was by no means glamorous, 'the only house on a building site', but these were two brothers, it seemed, meant to follow in their family's footsteps and go on to represent England.

But Billy hit the headlines this week when it was claimed that the 31-year-old sportsman has been arrested after a violent incident at a pub in Majorca during which he slapped a police officer.

He had to be Tasered twice after police rushed to a bar called Epic in the island capital Palma at 4.30am on Sunday morning following calls from security staff.

The rugby star has claimed that the incident was 'a misunderstanding' and that the case has now been closed following an express trial and fine.

A statement released on his behalf said '[I] unreservedly apologise for any inconvenience'. 




Billy Vunipola has played 75 times for the England rugby team over the past 11 years





The 6ft 2in tall professional, Témoignage Performance V Capsules who weighs nearly 20 stone, is said to have been unaffected by the first Taser volt police used on him after clearing the bar. Pictured with police





The topless rugby star Billy Vunipola laughs as police try to Taser him in a Majorcan bar










Mako and his brother Billy of Saracens pose at Allianz Park in  2013 in Barnet, England

Mako and Billy are the fourth generation of their family to play rugby at an international level - but they come from humble origins and were born to two preachers from a Tongan village.

Their father Fe'ao, grandfather Sione and great-grandfather Viliami all played for Tonga, but the brothers opted to play for England instead.

Their father and uncle both played for Tonga and their cousin Taupe Faletau has been capped by Wales and British and Irish Lions. 

The Vunipola family came to Britain in January 1998 and first lived in Pontypool in Wales, when the brothers were ages just six and eight. 

They moved 'into the only house on a building site' and felt quite isolated, the brothers said previously.

Their grandfather wanted his family to enjoy a more prosperous life in a country that offered so much more than the village of Nuku'alofa, and both Billy and Mako realised this dream by finding success in sport.

Big brother Mako, 33, has kept a fraternal eye over Billy, in school and on the rugby field. 

Mako was born in New Zealand and Billy in Australia, but they both come from Tongan lineage.

Their father, a former Tonga captain, played out his rugby days with Pontypool and Pontypridd, where the boys grew up.

READ MORE - England rugby star Billy Vunipola released on bail after SLAPPING a police officer during violent incident at pub in Majorca with eight police officers and two shots of a taser needed to subdue 20-stone athlete after he 'threatened customers and staff '



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After moving to Bristol, scholarships to Millfield and Harrow not only saw Mako and Billy separated but also removed any lingering allegiance to Wales — and once they both began to appear for England age group teams their ties were fully with their new country.

In January, Mako announced his retirement from international rugby. 

The prop made 79 appearances for England and also earned nine caps with the British and Irish Lions.

But he continued to play club rugby for Premiership side Saracens.

His made his England debut against Fiji in 2012 and was part of his country's victorious Six Nations squads in 2015, 2016 and 2020.

Meanwhile, his little brother Billy was born in Sydney. After his father signed for Pontypool RFC in 1998, he moved to Wales with his family as a young child.

Like his brother, he played for New Pantleg RFC.

He later moved to The Castle School in Thornbury, Gloucestershire, where he played junior rugby before winning a scholarship to Harrow School, and whilst there, was picked by Wasps Academy where he made his senior debut aged 18.




Mother Singa (sat down) and father Feao (centre) of Mako (right) and Billy Vunipola (left)





The Lions' Toby Faletau and Mako on the British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia 2013





Vunipola seen at the 2023 Rugby World Cup match between England and South Africa at Stade de France on October 21, 2023 in Paris





Vunipola seen playing for Saracens in their Premiership Rugby match against Bath on Friday

Billy made his senior team debut in 2011 and played 30 matches over two seasons.

In 2013, he signed a contract to move to Saracens. During his time there, he's won four Premiership titles in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019.

He helped them win the European Rugby Champions Cup three times in four seasons.

In the 2019 final, Billy scored a try in the victory against Leinster at St James' Park.