Geoff Parling

Geoff Parling

Parling playing for Leicester Tigers in 2012
Full name	Geoff Parling
Date of birth	(1983-10-28) 28 October 1983 (age 33)
Place of birth	, England
Height	1.99 m (6 ft 6 in)
Weight	117 kg (18 st 6 lb)
School	Durham School
University	Newcastle University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock Current team Exeter Chiefs Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2003–2009 2009–2015 2015– Newcastle Falcons Leicester Tigers Exeter Chiefs 114 92 24 (30) (15) (10) Correct as of 27 August 2015 National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2010-2012 2012– 2013 England Saxons England British and Irish Lions 27 29 3 (20) (10) (5) Correct as of 10 October 2015

Geoff Parling (born 28 October 1983 in , England) is a rugby union player. He plays for Exeter Chiefs as a lock. He has also represented England on 29 occasions and the British and Irish Lions 3 times.

After attending Newcastle University, he began his club career at Newcastle Falcons. Parling became a first team regular in the 2005–06 season, winning the players' player of the year award. Parling captained Newcastle on several occasions during the 2006–07 season. He was the runner-up for the Gatorade Performance of the Guinness Premiership Season 2008–09.

He signed a contract to play for Leicester Tigers for the 2009/10 season.

His debut for Leicester Tigers came against the club he had just left, and his first start for the club was in the Heineken Cup clash with Benetton Rugby Treviso. He also played in the Friendly match against South Africa, which the Tigers won 22–17.

Injuries to other Tigers players helped him to hold down a starting berth at lock, and the Tigers topped the table. They went on to win the 2009-10 Guinness Premiership final 33–27 against Saracens. Parling stole a vital line-out in the final minute of the game, which was right on the Tigers' try-line. He was voted Newcomer of the Year by Tigers supporters.

On 29 January 2015, it was announced Parling had signed for Exeter Chiefs on a two-year deal.

Parling represented England at Under 16s, Under 18s, Under 19s, and Under 21 level.

He was added to the revised England Saxons squad as cover for Nick Kennedy on 25 January 2010. He played in the wins against Ireland A and Italy A. Parling was selected in the 44-man England squad to tour Australia in June 2010, and played in the first game against the Australian Barbarians, though missed out on selection for the second as a result of a neck injury.