Youngs brothers pen new Tigers deals

Leicester have announced new long-term contracts for England internationals Ben and Tom Youngs.

The brothers are currently part of head coach Stuart Lancaster's England set-up, and both were involved in last Saturday's 20-14 home defeat against Australia.

Leicester rugby director Richard Cockerill said: "It is excellent news that both Tom and Ben have agreed new deals with us. They are both very important to the club."

He added: "They have grown up in a Leicester Tigers family. Their dad Nick played for the club, they know the history of this place and they have come all the way through the academy system here before establishing themselves as key first-team players.

"Ben and Tom both have an excellent attitude to their work.

"They are the kind of players we want to build the club around for the future, and we look forward to their continued development in the Tigers squad over the years to come."

Scrum-half Ben has won 26 caps and recently clocked up a century of appearances for the Tigers. He made his Leicester debut five years ago and has played in four Premiership finals.

Hooker Tom, meanwhile, made his Test debut against Fiji earlier this month, having first featured for Leicester as a centre in 2006 before being converted into a front-row forward.