Former British & Irish Lion Signs For Super Rugby Franchise

The Melbourne Rebels have signed former England and Lions lock Geoff Parling.

The towering lock announced earlier in the season that we would be leaving the Exeter Chiefs at the end of the season, and will stop off for a stint in Japan before joining the Australian Super Rugby franchise.

Parling signed off in style by lifting the Aviva Premiership with Exeter, adding to previous titles won with former club Leicester Tigers.

Interestingly the Rebels future has been thrown up in the air in recent months, with Super Rugby set to lose an Australian franchise. The signing of Parling is a strong indication that it will indeed be the Wester Force that loses their Super Rugby franchise.

Rebels Chief executive Bade Stephenson seems confident of their status, stating Parling is part of a plan to evolve their squad for ‘2018 and beyond.’

“Geoff’s signing is a strategic recruitment for the club as we look to evolve our squad and programme for 2018 and beyond,” Stephenson said.

“Geoff boasts a wealth of international and domestic experience… so he will contribute to the strong leadership at the club, along with his world class lineout skills and hard running qualities which will complement our squad.”