Tuesday 9 February 2016 14:52, UK
England head coach Eddie Jones says Billy Vunipola can become the best No 8 in world rugby.
Vunipola was magnificent as England launched their Six Nations with a 15-9 victory over Scotland on Saturday, emerging as the dominant force in the pack and taking the man of the match award.
The 23-year-old, one of the squad's three vice-captains, is to have a prominent role under Jones and the Australian reacted to his performance at Murrayfield by stating he can become the game's outstanding player in his position.
"I tell Billy every day how good he can be. Every player needs to have a dream. As a coach one of your jobs is to give them dreams," Jones said.
"I don't want him to be the best No 8 in the Premiership, I want him to be the best No 8 in the world. And he can do that."
Jones' holistic approach to shaping Vunipola into a world class player is appreciated by the Saracens back-row.
"I respond to the love and compassion Eddie shows the boys, me especially. He is very personable," Vunipola said. "He has been really good for me since he came in. He has just filled me with confidence and that is something I thrive on.
"I don't need someone to shout at me. I know what I have to do. I just need someone to reassure me and look after me."
Vunipola insists England are benefiting from being allowed to socialise more than under the previous regime, when players were told not to drink - even at the end of a tournament.
After last autumn's World Cup demise, Vunipola declared that the England squad would have benefited from being able to go down the pub and it is a philosophy that has been shared by Jones.
"We have had a few bonding sessions. It's important for me to know what someone else is about, what motivates them, whether that be their family or scoring tries," Vunipola said.
"You just try to help them or the team in that way. It's something you can't really measure or see but I definitely think it works.
"For some reason we've taken that tack this time and hopefully it'll work for us in the long run. It's too early to tell but I'm enjoying being with the boys and being in camp.
"You're more comfortable with someone you work alongside when you know what motivates them, what interests them, or you know what you can do to help them. It works better when you have a relationship with someone rather than just rocking up and playing for England
"If we end up winning the trophy then you can definitely take that into account. But that's a big maybe. We've just got to keep working hard."
