Tuilagi agrees to stay with Leicester Tigers

England and Leicester Tigers centre Manu Tuilagi has agreed to stay with Premiership Rugby club Leicester Tigers on a new contract.

Tuilagi has been the subject of some big money offers in recent weeks as he comes off contract in the summer.

The British and Irish Lion has been out of action injured for the last 13 months but Leicester say that he is close to returning to the playing field.

Tuilagi has been linked to a number of Premiership clubs including Saracens, Worcester and Toulouse but it seems he is staying in England with Leicester.

BBC Leicester reports that Tuilagi has signed a new contract extension which will come as a great relief to Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill.

Cockerill said that his rival clubs have been offered “huge amounts of money” to tempt Tuilagi from Welford Road.

There were reports that Worcester had offered Tuilagi £1.6m over three years although this was denied by Warriors director of rugby Dean Ryan.

The decision to remain in England instead of a move to France for Toulon for example ensures that Tuilagi remains eligible to play for England.