Rugby World Cup: Billy Vunipola says England 'happy' to be 'public enemy number one' v Fiji
Written by I Dig SportsEngland are "happy" to play the role of "public enemy number one" in Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against Fiji, says number eight Billy Vunipola.
"I would not say Fiji is their second favourite, I would say England is their first least-favourite team," he said.
Having won all of their pool games in France, England are expected to have a large following in Marseille.
But Fiji are likely to be backed by many neutrals after reaching the last eight for the first time since 2007.
Saracens forward Vunipola added: "In terms of being public enemy number one, we are happy to take that mantle."
Fiji caused an upset win over Eddie Jones' Australia on their way to booking a spot in the quarter-finals, despite narrow defeats by Wales and Portugal.
Vunipola, 30, sat out England's opening Pool D victory over Argentina because of suspension, but returned from the bench against Japan before making his first start in the 71-0 thrashing of Chile.
His Sarries team-mate Ben Earl is likely to start against Fiji at number eight, having been selected there against the Pumas and Samoa.
"If I'm being honest, I would liked to have played some more games," said Vunipola after dropping back to the bench against Samoa.
"But saying that, the team I'm playing for are in the quarter-finals so I'm happy to be involved."
He added that there was "definitely an edge in training" with no margin for error in the knock-out stages.