Emeka Ilione has piled more transfer misery on beleaguered Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson after turning down the chance to move to the North-West to pen a new contract with Leicester Tigers.
The Mansfield-born medical student, 23, has followed in the footsteps of a trio of England stars, Alex Mitchell, George Martin and Chandler Cunningham-South, who have all opted against moves to the Sharks.
Lions scrum-half Mitchell decided to stay with Northampton Saints, Cunningham-South signed a new deal with Harlequins, and Martin has agreed to join Saracens, subject to passing a medical.
Now, Ilione, who was called into the England squad ahead of the Quilter Nations Series and combines playing with studying medicine at the University of Nottingham, is staying at Welford Road for the next three years.
The former England under-20 international openside flanker, who can play anywhere across the back row, scored his second try of the season against the Sharks at the end of October. And the news will be another blow to Sanderson, who said only last month that he has a massive budget for internationals burning a hole in his back pocket.
“We’ve probably got enough budget for four or five world-class international players. We’re looking for those players which have the biggest impact on the ball and maybe the most touches,” he told the BBC.
“You look at our squad and where we might be a little short in strength in depth; that’s where we’re looking to recruit. “It’s a weekly task and one that I’m quite enjoying in terms of meeting players and seeing how it all fits together for next season.
“I’m also aware that it takes your focus off this season. All the white noise can create insecurity with your own squad, which, I might add, I’m quite happy with, given our retention rate is at 95%.
“This is the 5% to add to the gene pool to take us to the next level, where we can be a lot more competitive at Saracens away.”