Lesley Vainikolo was born in Tonga but has won five England rugby union caps

Gloucester and England winger Lesley Vainikolo has signed a new two-year contract with the Cherry and Whites.

The 30-year-old rugby league convert's deal was due to expire this summer, but the Tonga-born Kiwi is now contracted to stay at Kingsholm until 2012.

Head coach Bryan Redpath told BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "14 players left last summer and we need to work hard with the players and consolidate."

"We must work hard in the off season to get speed and agility back into Les."

Redpath added: He's got natural strength and we've got to keep hold of that too."

Vainikolo, who won 12 caps for New Zealand in his 10-year rugby league career, joined Gloucester from Bradford Bulls in 2007.

He marked his debut by scoring five tries in a Premiership game against Leeds at Headingley, going on to make five appearances for England later that season.

This season he has scored four tries in 21 appearances, taking his overall tally to 19 for Gloucester.

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