Leicester Tigers have signed former England loose-head prop Mako Vunipola.
The 35-year-old, currently with French Pro D2 leaders Vannes, has agreed to join Tigers for next season along with Argentina prop Joel Sclavi from La Rochelle, Bristol Bears centre Joe Jenkins and Harlequins hooker Jack Doorey-Palmer.
Vunipola, born in New Zealand, made 79 appearances for England, was a World Cup runner-up in 2019, and was involved in three British and Irish Lions tours.
He has spent the past two seasons playing in Brittany. He moved there after 13 years at Saracens, where he won four Premiership titles and three European Champions Cups.
Sclavi, 31, has won the Champions Cup twice with French side La Rochelle, as well as the Top 14, and has played 33 times for his country.
Doorey-Palmer, 22, is a product of Harlequins’ academy and has been on loan at Champ club Cambridge this season.
Jenkins, also 22, is a former England Under-20 international and became the youngest player to ever start for Bristol in the Premiership when, at 18, he played against Saracens in November 2022.
“I’m proud and happy to be part of a club with so much history and identity,” Sclavi said. “I am really looking forward to what is ahead at Leicester Tigers.”
Tigers boss Geoff Parling said: “We know how highly we value our set-piece, so we were looking at someone who could add both quality and depth on both sides of the scrum, of which Joel’s size and strength will be a real asset.
“After proving himself in the Top 14 he was hungry for a new challenge.”
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