Billy and Mako Vunipola have vowed to spearhead Saracens’ return to the top table of world rugby after both signing new contracts at the club.

No.8 Billy, 29, and prop Mako, 30, put pen to paper on Christmas Eve ahead of Mark McCall’s high-flyers hosting Worcester Warriors on Boxing Day.

The powerhouse brothers have been major protagonists in helping Saracens soar to four Premiership titles and three European crowns since 2014.

The North Londoners sit second in the top-flight table after bouncing back from relegation to the Championship last season and Billy, who has racked up 135 appearances for the club, said: “I want to leave the club and shirt in a better place than when I joined it.

“I’m so proud to represent Saracens Rugby Club. I’m very happy to extend my stay with the boys.”

Mako, who has represented the club 187 times since joining in 2011, added: “We have achieved some special things over the last 10 years and I am motivated to help the club get back to the top over the next years.

“I have loved my time at the club and could not be happier to have signed.”

Saracens have shown glimpses of the form that hauled them to four Premiership titles between 2014 and 2019 and lie nine points adrift of table-toppers Leicester Tigers in the table.

McCall’s men have won six of their opening nine matches and now face tenth-place Worcester, followed by play-off chasing Northampton Saints, across the festive period.

Sunday’s clash at the StoneX will mark the club’s first outing for over two weeks after the Covid-enforced cancellation – and 28-0 defeat via forfeit – against Pau in the European Challenge Cup.

It kickstarts a crucial three rounds against the Warriors, Saints and Gloucester and centre Alex Lozowski, who also signed a new contract this week, is calling on his team to rise to the domestic challenge.

The 28-year-old said: “We’re under no illusions as to how important this block is and we’re fully focused on Worcester and then Northampton after that.

“We need to keep getting points on the board and pushing for those top two positions.

“Worcester are going to come down for a big Boxing Day game and hopefully we’ll have a good crowd. They’re improving all the time and it’s going to be a massive game.”