Leicester Tigers’ England prop Joe Heyes has signed a new four-year contract with the Prem club.

The 27-year-old has featured more than 180 times across all competitions for Tigers’ senior side since he emerged from the club’s academy in 2018.

Heyes made his England debut in 2021 and, within a year of that milestone international moment, he helped Tigers win the 2022 Premiership title.

He has gone on to earn a total of 22 caps and has been included in the England squad for this summer’s Nations Championship competition, which starts against South Africa on Saturday.

“It’s a place that I have grown to love since arriving as a 16-year-old,” Heyes told the Tigers website., external

“Over the years, I’ve experienced and felt the passion for this club through the players, coaches, backroom staff and, of course, our incredible fans.”

Tigers head coach Geoff Parling described Heyes as a “brilliant character to have around”.

“Having Joe commit his long-term future here is a great statement on how much the club means to him, and coming through the academy to winning England men’s player of the season this year is testament to his diligence and work ethic,” Parling said.

“What’s exciting is that I think that there’s still huge growth in his game that we look forward to developing.”