Saracens' Billy Vunipola not guilty of headbutt and clear to face Clermont

Saracens' impassioned defence of Billy Vunipola at a disciplinary hearing in London on Tuesday night brought due reward after a citing charge of headbutting and reckless play against the No 8 was dismissed leaving him free to play in Saturday's European Champions Cup semi-final against Clermont Auvergne in Saint-Etienne.

Saracens were adamant that the action which saw Vunipola collide with the head of Leicester's Mathew Tait during last weekend's Aviva Premiership match against Leicester was accidental, a normal high-speed collision that can occur in and around the ruck area.

They were …