Senior Academy sextet agree new deals

Leicester Tigers can confirm it has agreed deals with six members of the club’s Senior Academy.

Sam Edwards, Tim Hoyt, Emeka Ilione, Tom Manz, Archie Vanes and Joe Woodward have all re-signed, committing their futures to the club.

Speaking about the six renewals, Leicester Tigers Interim Head Coach Richard Wigglesworth said: “We are very committed to seeing Leicester Tigers have long-term, sustained success and these six young men are people we see as a big part of the club’s future.”

“We want to develop players who have a great understanding, from a young age, of what it means to represent Leicester Tigers.

“Each of them have shown the commitment and work ethic that we want from players at Leicester Tigers and are developing well through their efforts.

“There is a lot ahead for each of them if they continue to work as hard as they have up until now and we are excited for what is to come in their careers, which we are proud will be here for a while longer.”

SAM EDWARDSBorn: June 14, 2002Position: Scrum-halfSenior debut: November 20, 2021

Senior appearances: 8

Sam Edwards said: “I’m really pleased to be able to extend my time at the club.”

“I feel like I am developing my game well and learning from top quality coaching and the players around me.

“It’s great to be a part of a group where I am competing for a place and improving.

“There’s such a good group of people here at Tigers and it’s a great place to be a part of, a great club to be a part of and I’m proud to do that.”

TIM HOYTBorn: March 31, 2003Position: PropSenior debut: March 29, 2022

Senior appearances: 1

Tim Hoyt said: “I am happy to stay because I feel like I am developing good relationships with the coaches and learning a lot from them.”

“It is really cool doing it with lads that all came up through the Academy together and hopefully we can keep going together.

“I want to continue to develop now and push on for senior rugby opportunities by working hard.”