Ben Youngs: Cockerill wants 'world class' scrum-half to stay

Ben Youngs has been capped 52 times by England

Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill wants "world class" scrum-half Ben Youngs to stay with the club for the rest of his career.

The England international, 26, returned to training with his club on Wednesday.

Along with his brother Tom, he signed a "long-term" deal with Tigers in 2012.

"He's a world class player and he has proved that with England over the last few months. We want to keep him for the rest of his career," Cockerill told BBC Radio Leicester.

"I have no doubt that he will want to stay. He has family connections here playing with his brother and this is his home club.

"It all points to a positive outcome when we're renewing contracts, but we can't take it for granted because he's a player who is going to have interest from other places.

"We need to make sure that contractually everything is right."

Youngs, who captained Leicester in Ed Slater's absence last season, played in three of England's four World Cup games as they exited the tournament at the pool stage.

Leicester start their Premiership campaign at London Irish on Sunday, although Cockerill is unlikely to call on the services of many of his returning World Cup players.