LEICESTER, England (AP) — Manu Tuilagi will remain available for England's rugby team after turning down a move to France to sign a new contract with Leicester Tigers.

With his deal at Leicester due to expire at the end of this season, the powerful center had been weighing up a lucrative move to French club Racing 92.

That would likely have seen his international career halted because England only selects players from the domestic league.

The 27-year-old Tuilagi says "this was a big decision for me to make but I am very happy to be able to stay here."

Tuilagi made his first Six Nations start since 2013 in the victory over Ireland last month, and will be a key member of England's squad for this year's Rugby World Cup.

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