Mako Vunipola cancels retirement plans for Leicester move

Former England prop Mako Vunipola expressed that he had intended to retire before receiving a call from Leicester Tigers head coach Geoff Parling, which persuaded him to reconsider. The 35-year-old, previously with Saracens, has pivoted back to the English Premier League after two years playing in France with Vannes, reuniting with Parling, a long-time friend and former teammate on the England and British and Irish Lions squads.

In an interview, Vunipola described how the conversation with Parling, which occurred in January, was pivotal. He stated, "I was pretty set on retiring last year, finishing my time in France. Then in January, I had a conversation with Geoff, and he asked me if I’d like to come and see if I can add value here at Leicester."

He noted that both he and his family felt positively about returning to England, with his wife playing a crucial role in this decision. Vunipola acknowledged Leicester's illustrious rugby history and expressed excitement about the upcoming challenges.

Geoff Parling emphasized Vunipola's wealth of experience, which would benefit Leicester Tigers, especially following the departure of Nicky Smith to Sale Sharks and Hanro Liebenberg’s return to South Africa. Parling stated that they would manage Vunipola's physical demands carefully to ensure he could contribute effectively without overextending his abilities. "Am I going to expect him to play six games on the trot, no. And he knows that," Parling said, reinforcing that Vunipola has displayed admirable commitment and influence during training sessions.

Vunipola remarked on his goals at Leicester, stating his primary aim is to lead by example on the field, saying, "I can do all the talking I want off the field, but I have to make sure I play well and add value on the field to help this team."

As he gears up for his first Premier League season in two years, he addressed queries regarding a potential return to international rugby, admitting he had stepped away from England duties prior to his move to France. "I got way too much work to do before I get anywhere near that," Vunipola added, emphasizing his commitment to Leicester as his priority at this time.