Mako Vunipola is hoping this summer can be even more productive than the victorious British & Irish Lions tour of 2013.
The England prop shot to prominence last season, culminating in selection for Warren Gatland’s tour to Australia as the Lions secured a first series victory for 16 years.
This time around the 23-year-old is preparing for the Premiership play-offs, a Heineken Cup final and a tour to world champions New Zealand with the Red Rose.
And, despite the highs of last summer, Vunipola believes the next few weeks could lay the foundations for an even better one.
“It’s a big end to the season and very exciting,” he said. “We have got this semi-final and final, which are good for the club, and also on a personal level there is the country as well.
“I want to represent England as many times as I can and to go to the home of the world champions and get a tour win would be amazing.
“It will take a lot of hard work but we are definitely excited to try and do it.”
However, after Saracens fell at the semi-final stage in the Premiership and in Europe last season Vunipola admits heading to New Zealand without a winner’s medal of some sort would be a blow.
“We have to avenge last year – finishing in the semis wasn’t great for us as a team and we obviously want higher things than that,” he added.
“This year we have come in with a new slate and just tried to go forward really and improve on last year and not dwell on results from last year.
“We will obviously have it in the back of our minds but this year we are a lot more confident.”
