England duo George Ford and Ellis Genge SIGN last-minute deals to stay put at Leicester Tigers

George Ford and Ellis Genge have agreed last-minute deals to stay at Leicester Tigers, Sportsmail can reveal.

The England duo were two of almost a dozen Tigers rebelling against taking enforced pay-cuts at Welford Road.

And if they had not penned new deals on Tuesday they would have been free to leave Leicester – threatening their international careers.

George Ford (pictured) and Ellis Genge have agreed last-gasp deals to stay at Leicester Tigers

But Sportsmail has been informed that both fly-half Ford, 27, and prop Genge, 25, have relented and re-committed to the Tigers.

Genge is now set to stay at Leicester until 2023, adding an extra year from his previous deal, but has taken a 25 per cent drop in wages from the £400,000-a-year deal he signed at the turn of the year.

Ford’s pay-packet – thought to be more than £600,000-a-season – will likely drop too.

The pair were two of almost a dozen Tigers players rebelling against taking enforced pay-cuts

Players across the league were ordered to sign fresh contracts by June 18, so clubs could take advantage of a salary cap loophole that allows ‘existing’ deals to count to 75 per cent of their value in 2021.

But Leicester were unable to tie down every member of their squad – with many unhappy with their offers.

However a compromise has been reached, and Leicester will keep two top England Test stars.