The former Lions and England forward has announced his retirement after over 200 appearances for Leicester Tigers.
Tom Youngs has announced that his playing days will end this season after a brilliant career which has seen him play at the highest level of rugby.
On retirement, Youngs said “I have no regrets and, looking back, am proud of what I have achieved at the only club I ever wanted to play for.”
The 35-year old hooker retires as a true Tigers great, playing 98 times as captain, second to only Martin Johnson. He also won the Premiership title in 2012/2013 and the Anglo-Welsh cup in 2016/2017.
Youngs first burst onto the scene in 2006 where he made his Leicester first team debut against London Irish before scoring his first try for the club a year later.
Tom played much of his rugby alongside his brother (Ben) and his father also played for Tigers. Tom told the club website “To be able to do what I have done, alongside my brother and after my dad, is just magical. I couldn’t have written it any better.”
The former Tigers captain also had a strong international career. Youngs earned 28 caps for England, the first of which came in 2012. The summer of 2013 may be the greatest period of Tom’s rugby however, as he played all three tests during the Lions tour of that year.
At the start of this year’s campaign, Youngs took leave for personal reasons and has not featured in any games this season. Despite this, Leicester Tigers announced that he will lead the team out for one last time this Saturday afternoon.
Tigers fans were quick to heap praise upon their former captain.
“Sad news to see the great man retire. Wishing him and his family all the best for the future”, wrote one supporter.
Whereas another posted on social media “Only right to give Tom Youngs a proper send off at Welford Road. Legend is very fittingly used in this case”.
A large number of Youngs’ teammates and opponents have taken to social media to congratulate him on his amazing career, including Freddie Burns who Tweeted, “One of the best to have ever done it”.
It will undoubtedly be an emotional Welford Road this Saturday as they say goodbye to a true legend of their club.
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