Leicester Tigers set to sign 79-cap England international in PREM return

A 79-cap England international is set to make a return to the PREM for next season, joining his former club Saracens’ fierce rivals Leicester Tigers.

Mako Vunipola has reportedly agreed to a deal for next year to play for the Tigers, leaving Pro D2 leaders Vannes to bolster their front-row options for next season for the English side.

The former British and Irish Lion spent most of his career with Saracens, playing for the London side from 2011 until 2024, in which he won three Champions Cups and four Premierships.

Vunipola will now join Leicester Tigers in the twilight of his career, according to reports from the Daily Telegraph after the 35-year-old's two-year contract expires.

It is unlikely this move will reignite his England career, as the nation have plenty of options in the front row who can operate as a prop; however, stranger things have happened.

The World Cup in Australia is only a year out, and there is always a possibility he could return to the team he won three Six Nations championships with.

Mako Vunipola of Saracens looks on after the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Play-Off Semi Final match between Northampton Saints and Saracens (Getty Images)

Vunipola’s move to Geoff Parling’s side makes complete sense, as his current club, Vannes, were not going to offer a contract extension after they signed his replacement from Bordeaux, former France U20 international Ugo Boniface.

Leicester Tigers have also lost Wales international Nicky Smith to Sale Sharks, and so the decision to sign an experienced Premiership winner makes complete sense.

This may be the last club that Vunipola plays for before he hangs up his boots, with it expected that he will move into coaching; however, there is no guarantee of this with the New Zealand-born forward having several options following his retirement.

Parling’s side have already agreed to sign another front row option with the La Rochelle tighthead Joel Sclavi joining the English side for next season, beating a bid from Gloucester to land the Argentine international.