RFU and Saracens to hold talks with Billy Vunipola over his support of Israel Folau

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) will hold talks with England's Billy Vunipola after he publicly supported Australian Israel Folau over his controversial social media comments.

Wallabies star Folau posted anti-gay comments on his Instagram on Wednesday and declared that "hell awaits" homosexuals as well as drunks, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators.

England and Saracens forward Vunipola took to social media on Friday to defend his decision to 'like' Folau's post and also backed the Australian over his comments.

View this post on Instagram

So this morning I got 3 phone calls from people telling me to 'unlike' the @izzyfolau post. This is my position on it. I don't HATE anyone neither do I think I'm perfect. There just comes a point when you insult what I grew up believing in that you just say enough is enough, what he's saying isn't that he doesn't like or love those people. He's saying how we live our lives needs to be closer to how God intended them to be. Man was made for woman to pro create that was the goal no? I'm not perfect I'm at least everything on that list at least at one point in my life. It hurts to know that. But that's why I believe there's a God. To guide and protect us and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

A post shared by Billy Vunipola (@vunipola_billy) on Apr 12, 2019 at 2:27am PDT

"Rugby is an inclusive sport, and we do not support these views," an RFU spokesperson said. "We will be meeting with Billy to discuss his social media posts."

Saracens also issued a statement, which read: "Saracens proudly embraces diversity and warmly welcomes everyone to the club regardless of race, gender, religion and sexual orientation.

"As representatives and role models, Saracens players have a responsibility not only to themselves but to the club and wider society.

"Billy Vunipola's recent social media posts are inconsistent with this and we take this matter very seriously. It will be handled internally."

Vunipola started every match during England's Six Nations campaign and the No. 8 was set to start on the bench for Saracens in this weekend's Premiership match against Bristol Bears, though that could change following Saracens' statement on Friday afternoon.

Rugby Australia announced their intention to terminate Folau's $4 million four-year contract for his comments but the player is determined to save his career and challenge the governing body.