Saracens star Billy Vunipola has been hailed as the world's best number eight following his Heineken Champions Cup final destruction of Leinster.

The England forward's late try that saw him scatter several Leinster defenders drove Saracens to a third European title in four seasons as they won a pulsating St James' Park clash 20-10.

"He is the best number eight in the world for me at the minute," Vunipola's Saracens and England team-mate Jamie George said.

"He just seems to be getting better and better with every big game that he plays in. He's so solid, so reliable and takes everything in his stride."

Saracens rugby director Mark McCall added: "Of course, he still has improvement in him. It would be terrible for me to say he's the finished product.

"But he is pretty good at the moment and he has played some pretty strong games for us in these really important matches."

Vunipola was booed most times he touched the ball during his team's Champions Cup semi-final victory over Munster, and there were jeers aplenty in Newcastle.

He was handed formal warnings from his club and the Rugby Football Union last month after he posted on social media that "man was made for woman to procreate that was the goal no?" and also liked a social media post from Australian player Israel Folau that stated "hell awaits" for homosexuals.

"I think this group of players can see things for what they are and not get spooked by the scoreboard or something unavoidable that we couldn't prevent.

"They are brilliant at assessing what is really happening. They don't see ghosts.

"They are actually really good at understanding what the situation is, and when you've got that clarity you are able to find solutions to anything."