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.”
Vunipola, who played alongside Parling for England under Stuart Lancaster, spent 13 years of his career at Saracens and will mentor Leicester’s academy youngsters with a view to a possible future coaching career.
“It still hasn’t sunk in,” Vunipola said. “It’s something I would never have envisaged but I am honoured to be part of this prestigious club. Tigers are an incredibly well‑supported club and their fans are so passionate about their rugby.”
Exeter have also announced the signing of the Bath utility back Sam Harris on a two-year deal to replace the departing Josh Hodge. Harris can play at fly-half or full-back and the Chiefs’ director of rugby, Rob Baxter, believes the 22-year-old player will prove a significant asset. “He’s one of those guys we think can potentially come through and grow into a very good rugby player and we hope that’s something we can help him achieve here at Exeter,” Baxter said.
Leinster and South Africa have been dealt a sizeable blow with confirmation that RG Snyman has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and is likely to be out for the rest of the year. The Springbok lock, who twice tore the ACL in his left knee during his time with Munster, sustained the injury against Glasgow Warriors this month.
The PWR domestic women’s league in England is looking to extend its horizons by adding ambitious new sides from Wales, Scotland and Ireland. PWR is inviting teams or organisations to declare an interest in joining the tournament before the end of April.
