Prop played with Tigers coach under Stuart Lancaster
‘I am honoured to be part of this prestigious club’
The former England prop Mako Vunipola has confirmed he is joining Leicester this summer as the Tigers look to beef up their pack for next season. The 35-year-old Vunipola will be joined in the East Midlands by the Argentinian front-row Joel Sclavi who will also help to fill the gap left by Nicky Smith’s impending switch to Sale Sharks.
Vunipola, who won 79 England caps and was picked for three British & Irish Lions tours, is playing for Vannes in France’s ProD2 but has opted to extend his career by a year. “He was hungry for the chance to come back to the Prem and finish in the comp he knows best,” the Leicester head coach, Geoff Parling, said.
“That coupled with his experience and what that can do for our young props is hopefully going to be really valuable. I know he’s a good man, that he’s skilful and that he knows the game really well. So I’m hopeful he’s going to have a really positive impact. We pride ourselves on our set-piece and what we do up front first so it was important to get some more options there.”
