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"So frustrating" - Matt Williams on Vunipola issue

Munster's European campaign ended at the semi-final stage once again but it was Billy Vunipola wh...



Munster's European campaign ended at the semi-final stage once again but it was Billy Vunipola who was at the centre of much of the focus.

The England and Saracens centre's defence of Australia's Israel Folau's anti-LGBT comments has led to a warning from the RFU along with criticism from many quarters.

Vunipola was part of the winning Saracens side against Munster and won Man of the Match.

But a Munster fan also confronted him at full-time, while supporters also booed him.

Ex-Leinster head coach Matt Williams and The Irish Independent's rugby correspondent Ruaidhri O'Connor joined us to discuss the action on and off the field.

"I'm appalled at the comments," said Williams.

So frustrating

"I'm appalled we're still having to talk about it and I really mean that. I just find it so frustrating that on one of the best rugby weekends of the year, we're still talking about these two fools tweeting.

"These guys don't come from a highly educated background. I don't mean that in any derogatory way but they haven't got university degrees in divinity.

"They're coming out and saying things that we find offensive and are not part of the rugby community. [The comments] are not part of what I've played in, coached in and been part of all my life.

"And it's just so frustrating and sad that we're still having to talk about it."

Williams also added that the comments are indefensible.

"These guys are just wrong. There's no defending them," he said.

"The point is what is the sanction? And how does that fit in legally within their contractual basis? This is a complex area for the clubs to enforce some form of view on a player and it is not easy."

Williams also shared an experience from his own playing days.

"I'm not supporting these guys and I detest what they say," he said.

"There's a great old mate of mine who I played rugby with and he couldn't tell us he was gay.

"For years and years and years. Because he didn't feel that environment was safe and that's a horrible, horrible thing to have seen."

Williams also felt the Munster fan who entered the field of play to confront Vunipola was also in the wrong.

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Billy Vunipola Matt Williams Munster Off The Ball Ruaidhri O'connor Rugby Saracens