**Gatland’s Frank Words Spark Vunipola’s Lions Revival**
Mako Vunipola, celebrated for his achievements both with Saracens and England, faced one of the most challenging periods of his illustrious career during the 2021 British and Irish Lions Tour in South Africa. It was not just physical setbacks that he had to overcome, but also the deep, uncompromising honesty of coach Warren Gatland, whose words would help galvanise the forward into action at a critical moment.
In 2021, Vunipola’s fortunes had taken a noticeable dip. Saracens, his long-term club, experienced relegation from Premiership Rugby, compelling the prop to spend his season in the Championship. Hampered by an Achilles injury, his absence from the initial rounds of the Six Nations further hampered his preparation, resulting in uncertainty over his physical condition as he reported for Lions duty.
Warren Gatland, the man known for his no-nonsense approach to team management, made no attempt to sugar-coat his concerns. Having led Wales through multiple successful campaigns and previously steered the Lions, Gatland recognised that elite-level rugby left little room for compromise. Upon Vunipola’s arrival, the coach was immediately forthright – an approach that would define the tone of their exchange.
Reflecting on that period, Gatland explained, ‘I was really honest with him and just said, “Mate, I didn’t feel your fitness levels were where they should be for international rugby.”’ Far from shying away, Vunipola accepted the criticism. The resulting frankness between coach and player signalled the start of a concerted push to get back to top form.
By the time the first test against South Africa arrived, Vunipola was thrust into a pivotal role, coming off the bench to help secure a dramatic 22-17 victory in Cape Town. His altered scrummaging technique, a result of his collaborative work with the coaching staff, contributed significantly to the win. Gatland praised not only Vunipola’s set-piece impact but also his contribution as a carrier and defender, remarking that his influence was making a real difference for the squad at a time of need.
Vunipola’s determination became evident through his off-field efforts. Although he missed the Lions’ initial training camp in Jersey, he committed to a strict individual conditioning regimen under the close guidance of the team’s medical and strength staff. Describing the process, he said, ‘Fitness is something I’ve always needed to keep working on. Coming into this team, especially after missing the first week, made it more vital. There are no shortcuts; you have to put in the work.’
His efforts were rewarded with a start in the second test, although the Lions found themselves outclassed by the Springboks in a 27-9 defeat. Subsequently, Vunipola was moved back to a bench role for the decisive third match, where he once again provided key cover in another tense encounter. Ultimately, the Lions edged South Africa 19-16, with Vunipola proving influential in the closing stages.
This tour ultimately marked the last chapter in Vunipola’s international rugby journey. Announcing his retirement in January 2024, the prop concluded his test career with 79 caps for England, memories of a 2016 Six Nations Grand Slam, and a World Cup final appearance in 2019. His experiences in 2021 serve as a testament not only to his resilience but also to the occasionally harsh, yet necessary, realities of top-tier sport.
Gatland’s unvarnished feedback may have seemed severe at the time, but it underscored the high standards that define the Lions’ ethos. For Vunipola, those words proved to be the catalyst for a powerful personal revival, demonstrating the mutual respect between player and coach.
As Vunipola now continues his professional career in France with Vannes, his Lions story stands as a reminder that even the most seasoned internationals must sometimes embrace uncomfortable truths if they are to continue excelling on rugby’s biggest stage.