TONGAN internationals Keni Fisilau and Sione Tu'ipulotu will both be back at Plymouth Albion next season after signing new contracts.

It was always expected that 34-year-old centre Fisilau would stay for a 10th consecutive season, after playing in every league game for the club in 2009/10 and claiming their official player of the year award.

But it has now been confirmed utility back Tu'ipulotu will also be staying at Brickfields.

The 31-year-old Tu'ipulotu was believed to have been attracting interest from other clubs after a fine first season in the Championship.

However, Tu'ipulotu and his family have settled well in Plymouth and he was always keen to stay with Albion.

Albion's chairman of rugby Graham Dawe is delighted the experienced pair are remaining at Brickfields.

"The club are pleased they have committed their immediate futures to Plymouth," said Dawe.

"We look forward to working with them for another year."

Fisilau and Tu'ipulotu certainly bring experience to a young Albion squad.

"They make good decisions on the ball and that's what you need," said Dawe.

"Sione's a go-to player, while Keni certainly puts his body on the line for the club. It is a tough environment out there and the club want people who want to defend."

Dawe added: "Keni has become part of the fabric at Plymouth Albion and Sione is a good friend of his. They respect each other and both want to play together.

"We have to hope they keep their ambition and want to keep improving."

Tu'ipulotu's versatility certainly makes him a valuable player to have in a squad.

The World Cup star can play scrum-half, centre or full-back.

"He is comfortable in a lot of positions," said Dawe. "The key thing is keeping fit."

Former Newport-Gwent Dragons player Tu'ipulotu has only had one season at Albion having joined the club last summer after spending three years in Japan.

Fisilau, meanwhile, has now completed nine full campaigns, having joined Albion in the summer of 2001 when they were still in National League Division Two.

It is believed Albion are considering offering the long-serving Fisilau a testimonial at the end of next season.

Fisilau could become Plymouth's all-time record league appearance holder in 2010/11.

He needs 15 more appearances to break Danny Thomas' record of 188.

Albion boss Dawe has certainly been busy trying to persuade his promising squad to stay at Brickfields.

As well as Fisilau and Tu'ipulotu, Ruairi Cushion, Alex Davies, Tyler Hotson, Tom Skelding, Mark Lee, George Porter and Rory Watts-Jones are also known to have signed new deals, while other players are rumoured to be close to doing so.

So far the only two players to have confirmed they are definitely leaving are Kyle Marriott and Matt Hopper, who are joining the Cornish Pirates.

However, another who is expected to depart in the next few days is forward James Waterhouse, who is set to re-join Esher after failing to make his mark at Albion.

Waterhouse only made two league starts for Albion after joining the club last summer.

And it is likely there will be other departures from Brickfields, with Albion having to cut their budget by a third.

YOUNG Albion scrum-half Tom Kessell is in line for a call-up to the England Counties squad for their tour of Canada next month.

Selectors watched 19-year-old Kessell in action for Devon against Hertfordshire on Saturday and were believed to be impressed with his display despite his side's 53-21 defeat.