The white smoke that Leicester Tigers used in their social media post to signify the imminent appointment of Geoff Parling as head coach was a self-referential nod to a process that has taken as many twists and turns as a Robert Harris novel.

Leicester Tigers appoint former England and British and Irish Lions lock Geoff Parling as their head coach from next season.

The former lock made nearly 100 appearances for Tigers as a player and will take up his role after coaching against the British and Irish Lions this summer