Former England prop Mako Vunipola says he was planning to retire before a phone call from Leicester Tigers head coach Geoff Parling changed his mind. The 35-year-old ex-Saracens front-rower, who won four Premiership titles and the European Champions Cup three times with the London club, has moved back to England's top flight after two years in France with Vannes to play under former international team-mate Parling.

Vunipola said it was "pretty random" how he was convinced to make a U-turn on his decision to hang up his boots and join a Leicester side that Parling guided to the Prem semi-finals in his first season at the helm.

"I was pretty set on retiring last year, finishing my time in France," Vunipola told BBC East Midlands Today. "Then in January I had a conversation with Geoff, he rang me and we spoke about this season and he asked me the question if I'd like to come and see if I can add value here at Leicester."

Parling said Vunipola not only adds vast experience to the Tigers, but also a calming voice to a pack that lost Niki Smith to Sale Sharks and Hanro Liebenberg, who decided to return to South Africa with the Bulls.