Tom Whiteley has had his detractors among the Leicester fanbase since signing for the club in Janaury 2023, but the 30-year-old has done enough this season to earn himself a new contract.
Tigers head coach Geoff Parling wanted more consistency from the former Saracens and Bristol scrum-half and Whiteley has met the challenge head on.
A popular member of the playing group, Whiteley has even turned his hand to playing fly-half, winning the Player of the Match award against Newcastle Red Bulls in the sixth round of the PREM Rugby Cup.
“I think he has been really effective in what he has done. I challenged him at the start of the season to improve around consistency, and I think he’s really done it,” said Parling.
“He’s also stepped up and played 10 for us in games we needed him to play 10 in and shown how versatile he can be.
“He’s also, I think, really good for the group. He’s good in the changing room, I see him helping someone like Charlie Bemand, the amount of times I’ve walked past the analysis room and I see them on a computer together.
“He’s good for the boys socially as well, which is important, he’s good at connecting the groups.”
While Whiteley has been at Tigers for just over three years, Joaquin Moro is in his first season at the club.
The Argentina international, capped three times by the Pumas, has scored six tries in 16 appearances and has made a big impact at six and No.8.
The best part, as far as Parling is concerned, is that there is still plenty more to come from the 25-year-old.
“I think there’s still some rawness, but you’ve got to remember this is his first professional environment, full-time environment. So he has been really good, his attitude’s excellent.
“He’s fit. He can run well and I think he’s got a lot of improvement in him as well, which is the main thing. We want to challenge him to keep improving.”
Meanwhile, on a busy day of retention, centre Wilf McCarthy and back-row Josh Manx have also committed their futures to the club beyond 2026.