Tower and Town, October 2023 (view the full edition)Elisi VunipolaIn 2017 Marlborough Rugby made the decision to enlist some world class help to build upon the most successful season in their history with the announcement of Elisi Vunipola as their new Director of Rugby (see photo). Elisi is a former Tonga international fly half with 41 appearance caps who played in two Rugby World Cups in South Africa in 1995 and England in 1999. His rugby career included playing spells in Japan, Wales, New Zealand and South Africa. First capped at the age of 17. Elisi was also his country's most-capped player upon retirement in 2005. At 51, he hasn't hung up his playing boots quite yet, having recently come on as a substitute in Marlborough Rugby's recent 0-52 win away at Weston-super-Mare RFC. The Vunipola family has a long rugby tradition: Elisi's brothers Manu and Fe'ao also played for Tonga as scrum half and hooker respectively. His son Manu plays for Saracens and has Under 18 and Under 20 England caps. Perhaps the most famous members of the Vunipola family are Elisi's nephews, Saracens, England and British & Irish Lions, Billy and Maku. Elisi is responsible for coaching across the club, supporting existing coaches for all age groups and players. Last season, Elisi guided the 1st XV to promotion into the Regional 1 South Central League (RFU 5th tier) their highest ever level and the most successful team in Wiltshire. Meanwhile, the 2nd XV narrowly missed promotion to the 7th tier as runners-up in Counties 2 Tribute Dorset & Wilts North. The recruitment of Elisi also reinforced the relationship with the Army Camp at Tidworth, one of the UK's "Super Garrisons" where Elisi's cultural connection with the large cadre of rugby fanatic South Pacific Islanders has been instrumental in improving the quality and style of rugby now played by Marlborough.  Elisi; Nephews Maku and Billy; Son Manu Mark Thomas |