Mike Tindall: Gloucester give new deal to former England captain

Centre Mike Tindall has signed a new contract to remain player-coach at Gloucester for the 2013-14 campaign.

The 34-year-old ex-England captain has been at Kingsholm for the past eight seasons, amassing 157 appearances.

After initially being released last summer, Tindall decided to re-sign on a year-long dual role under incoming director of rugby Nigel Davies.

"Nigel has come in and created a positive atmosphere around the club," Tindall told BBC Points West.

"He came in and gave the players more freedom to go out and express themselves. I think everyone has thrived on the back of that."

Centre Tindall, who has 75 England caps, started his professional career at Bath and spent eight years at the Rec before joining the Cherry and Whites in 2005.

He was linked with a move to France last year, and the club announced at the end of the 2011-12 campaign that he was among 11 players who would not be offered a new contract.

But following head coach Bryan Redpath's departure and the arrival of Davies, Tindall agreed a deal that would see him work as a backs coach along with his playing commitments.

And despite his new off-field commitments, he went on to play 28 games in all competitions this season.

"I've probably played a bit more than I thought I would," he added. "But it's fine as it's as good as I've played in a while."