Tuilagi stay pleases Slater

Editor

Leicester Tigers captain Ed Slater believes the re-signing of powerful centre Manu Tuilagi is a "big statement" from the in-form Premiership club.

On Monday it was confirmed that the England international had put pen to paper on a new contract, ending speculation about his future.

It was reported that Wasps, Saracens and Worcester were interested in the player, but he chose to stay at the Tigers, pleasing Slater.

"Keeping Manu is a big statement. The club have invested heavily in him and I don't think he's been short changed," said the skipper.

"From his point of view the decision was about what's best for him and after the year he's had he just wanted to get back to playing rugby.

"He could also see the buzz around the training ground off the back of Aaron Mauger's arrival. He can see the changes and wants to be a part of it.

"He didn't want to chase the money, otherwise he wouldn't have re-signed. The whole package he saw at Leicester was more important than getting money elsewhere."