Folau sparked outrage last week with his views on homosexuality and gender, stating in a message on Instagram that "hell awaits" drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters, as well as: "REPENT! ONLY JESUS SAVES".

        View this post on Instagram                   Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him. _______________ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these , adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19‭-‬21 KJV _______________ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38 KJV _______________ And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Acts 17:30 KJV _______________ A post shared by Israel Folau (@izzyfolau) on Apr 10, 2019 at 1:18am PDT

The Waratahs and Wallabies star is set to be sacked by Rugby Australia, but Vunipola also came in for criticism having 'liked' Folau's post, the Saracens number eight later posting on Instagram that his beliefs had been insulted but he did not "hate" anyone.

        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

Saracens released a statement condemning Vunipola's "serious error of judgement" and he was called to a meeting with the RFU to discuss the issue, with the governing body announcing on Tuesday the player had received a formal warning and been reminded of his responsibilities.

In a statement, the RFU said: "Following a meeting between the RFU and Billy Vunipola, the Saracens forward has been issued with a formal warning under RFU rule 5.12 for conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union or the game.

"The warning will be retained on his disciplinary record for a period of five years and may be taken into account in future disciplinary proceedings.

"During the meeting the player expressed genuine regret at his public comments and understood that he had caused hurt and offence as a result of his actions.

"He has been reminded of his responsibilities as an England player and as an ambassador for the game, which values inclusivity and respect."