'Legend' Vunipola joins French side Vannes

Former England prop Mako Vunipola has joined recently promoted French Top 14 broadside Vannes connected a two-year deal.

Saracens already announced the departure of some Vunipola brothers astatine nan extremity of past season, pinch Billy besides linked to nan Top 14 to subordinate Montpellier.

Mako, 33, spent 13 years astatine Sarries wherever he won 4 Premiership titles and 3 European Champions Cups.

"A existent fable of English rugby," Vannes said successful a statement.

"By committing to Vannes, Mako Vunipola will person his first acquisition of playing overseas and will observe nan Top 14."

In January, nan prop announced his status from international rugby, winning nan past of his 79 caps against Ireland successful March 2023.

This came aft nan three-time British and Irish Lions tourer was ruled retired of England's 2023 World Cup squad pinch a backmost problem.

Vunipola appeared astatine 2 World Cups and started England's World Cup last conclusion by South Africa successful 2019.

He joins a number of players from that successful England squad, who besides won a Six Nations Grand Slam successful 2016, successful moving to France for adjacent season.

Former England skipper Owen Farrell, Vunipola's ex-Saracens team-mate, will play for Racing 92, pinch flanker Courtney Lawes joining 1997 Champions Cup winners Brive.

Centre Manu Tuilagi, who is moving to Bayonne, and Jonny May, signed by Soyaux-Angouleme, besides started nan 2019 World Cup final.

England prop Kyle Sinckler and flanker Lewis Ludlam besides make nan move to France aft some signed for three-time Champions Cup winners Toulon.

Flanker Jack Willis, who won nan double pinch Toulouse past season, Stade Francais centre Joe Marchant and Racing winger Henry Arundell person each already played successful nan Top 14, having committed themselves to futures distant from England aft nan 2023 World Cup.