England lock Geoff Parling is joining ­Exeter on a two-year deal from Premiership rivals Leicester, the club said Thursday. He is the club's first major signing ahead of the 2015-16 season

The 31-year-old, who is battling to be fit for England's Six Nations opener against Wales on February 6, has 21 caps and played in all three British and Irish Lions Tests against Australia in 2013.