Leicester Tigers confirm new contracts for five players

Leicester Tigers have confirmed that five players including England prop Dan Cole have signed a new contract with the Aviva Premiership club.

Apart from Cole the list also includes Matt Toomua, Telusa Veainu, Mike Williams and Greg Bateman.

Cole has been with the Welford Road until since 2007 and has represented England in 75 Tests while featuring in two British and Irish Lions' tour as well. Australia international Toomua, who joined the club in 2016 has signed a contract extension until 2020.

"Coley is an outstanding player and a great example of a player who has come through the ranks at the club, earning his place in the senior squad and progressing to become first choice for club and country," said Leicester head coach Matt O'Connor.

"He is among a core of senior professionals who have come through together here and are now in key leadership roles within the squad."

Meanwhile, Cole, who has racked up 185 appearances for Leicester Tigers said the decision to remain with the club was a straightforward one.

"I am very happy to sign a new contract at Leicester," said Cole.

"The quality and depth of the playing squad along with the direction of Matt O'Connor made re-signing an easy decision to make."

Veainu has impressed consistently since joining Leicester after the 2015 World Cup, while Zimbabwe-born flanker Williams won selection to the England squad in 2016.

"Telusa has been in outstanding form and is a key player for us," said O'Connor.

"He's a popular guy in the squad, he works very hard and he is still improving as a player.

"We have some top-class players in our backline and Telusa is central to that.

"Mike is a strong presence in the back-row and has some good experience at this level now.

"We we're keen to extend his contract and he was keen to stay here so we're delighted terms have been agreed."

Williams, 26, has recovered from a nasty broken arm to continue his bullish string of performances.

He said: "Leicester were so good to me throughout my injury to my arm, it's a great place to play rugby and we have exciting times ahead of us as a squad."

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