Julian Salvi has given Heineken Cup Pool 2 leaders Leicester Tigers a huge boost by agreeing a new two-year deal to stay at Welford Road.
The 27-year-old Australian back row man, who scored two tries in the 33-25 home win over Benetton Treviso earlier this month, has put open to paper on a deal that will ensure he remains with Tigers until at least 2015.
Salvi joined Tigers from Bath having previously played for the Brumbies in Australia. He has made two appearances in the Heineken Cup this season, both against Benetton Treviso.
"I have agreed terms for the next few years and that is great news for my family. It was an easy decision in the end - why would you want to move if you are playing rugby at a great club?" admitted Salvi.
"The culture here encouraged me to stay. You are driven to succeed and you are driven to win. We have the best coaches and the best support staff and, as a player, that is all you can ask for.
"If you are in an environment where you have the best of the best, and you are enjoying your rugby, you can only continue to improve and develop as a player. I have really enjoyed the last few years and I am looking ahead now."
Tigers lead Pool 2 by a point from Toulouse, with the Ospreys still in the running for a top two finish with nine points in third. The Welsh region will host Tigers in Round 5 on 13 January in one of the biggest games of the round.
The two teams have met seven times to date with Tigers leading the way with four wins to two. They ran out 39-22 winners over the reigning PRO12 champions at Welford Road in Round 2.
