Top trio commit to Tigers
Leicester Tigers have agreed new contract terms with England Under-20 captain George Ford, young lock Ed Slater and England international Anthony Allen.
Ford has been elevated to the Tigers first-team squad this season and started the campaign in the club’s No.10 shirt. Still 18 years old, Ford was the 2011 IRB World Junior Player of the Year and scored his first Tigers try in the Heineken Cup victory over Aironi during January.
Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: “George is a very good young player who will keep getting better here. He has an excellent understanding of the game, a maturity that belies his experience at the highest level and a very level head on his shoulders.
“I’m delighted that he sees his future with us and we look forward to seeing his continued development here.”
Slater earned his first international recognition at England Saxons level this season, just 18 months after joining Leicester Tigers, and is now approaching 50 appearances for the club.
England international Allen has been a key part of the Tigers squad since his arrival from Gloucester in the summer of 2009 with more than 60 appearances for the club and was named Players’ Player of the Season in 2010/11.
Cockerill said: “Both Ed and Anth have established themselves as important parts of the first-team squad and they have a lot to offer.
“Ed came to us after a spell in Australia and has made the most of his opportunities in his first experience at this level. We were delighted to see him called up to the Saxons this season, which shows just how well he has been playing for Leicester.
“Anth has a lot of experience for a player who is still just 25 years old and he is a very consistent player and a good leader in the squad.
“There is always a strong home-grown core to our squad with the strength of our academy and good, young English talent alongside the players we bring in from elsewhere, and that is a blend that works well for us.”
Sam Harrison and Thomas Waldrom, an England Elite Playing Squad member this season, have also recently agreed new contracts at Welford Road.
