Dan Hipkiss is among those extending their stay at Leicester

The England trio of Dan Hipkiss, Louis Deacon and Jordan Crane have all agreed new contracts with Guinness Premiership champions Leicester.

The Tigers have also announced new deals for England prop prospect Dan Cole, scrum-half Ben Youngs, centre Matt Smith and flanker Ben Woods.

Cole has been training with the senior England squad ahead of the upcoming Six Nations campaign.

Youngs played for England Saxons in Sunday's 17-13 win over Ireland A.

"We want a strong core of English players and players who have come through the ranks here," said Leicester head coach Richard Cockerill.

"The likes of Louis Deacon and Dan Hipkiss have come all the way through from the academy to the senior team and to England international status, and Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are following in their footsteps.

"These guys all understand the culture of the club, and they have a role too as an example and inspiration to all of our young players."

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