Leicester Tigers secure Joe Heyes in flurry of long-term deals

Tighthead prop Joe Heyes has become the latest Leicester Tigers player to sign a long-term deal, following teammate George Martin in committing to stay at Welford Road.

Just hours after announcing Martin’s new deal at the club, Leicester followed it up by confirming that the 24-year-old prop has also signed a “long-term” deal.

The seven-cap England international already has 132 Leicester appearances to his name, as well as a Gallagher Premiership title. Heyes started on the bench in the victory over Saracens at Twickenham in 2022, playing the final 30 minutes of the match.

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“It was an easy decision for me to re-sign with Leicester Tigers,” Heyes said after signing the deal.

“Coming through the academy, the club holds a genuinely special place in my heart and there’s nowhere else I would want to play rugby at this stage of my career than in front of our fans at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

“I’m really enjoying the program Dan and the coaches have put in place and it’s been great for us to get some results over the last couple of weeks and build some momentum heading into the new year.”

Heyes’ head coach Dan McKellar said: “You can’t win games at this level without quality tighthead props and it’s fantastic for the club to have Joe locked in long term.”

“With the athleticism and power that Joe possesses, he has the potential to be a quality International Tight Head Prop.

“We are fortunate to have depth and quality in such an important position, with Will Hurd, Dan Cole and Heyesy. All three will have important roles to play this season and moving forward.”

Heyes started in Leicester’s impressive 27-24 win over Stade Francais in round two of the Investec Champions Cup in Paris on Sunday, as the Tigers have made an unbeaten start to the competition they have won twice. The prop and his teammates will turn their attention back to the Premiership this weekend with a daunting visit to the Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.