A group of Saracens players, including Billy Vunipola and Alex Goode, have apologised after breaking England’s Covid-19 lockdown regulations.

Vunipola and teammates Goode, Sean Maitland, Nick Isikwe and Josh Ibuanokpe were spotted together at a coffee shop in St Albans in north London.

The five players broke England’s coronavirus guidelines over physical distancing and earned a rebuke from Saracens together with a reminder over their responsibilities as professionals.

‘Management has spoken to the players involved, all of whom accept that they made an error in judgement,’ Saracens said in a statement.

‘The government guidelines on social distancing and public gatherings of more than two people are very clear and the club has been vigorous in its messaging to all players and staff members about the importance of adhering to these guidelines whilst in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘The club has reminded these players as well as the whole Saracens squad of their responsibilities to themselves and the community around them and we are confident this will not happen again.’

The English RFU said no further action will be taken against the players.

‘The matter has been dealt with by Saracens,’ an RFU spokesperson said.

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