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Ben and Tom Youngs both sign new deals with Leicester
On a busy day of announcements at Leicester Tigers, both Ben and Tom Youngs have agreed new deals to stay at Welford Road.
Following the massive news that Nemani Nadolo will be lining out at Welford Road next season, along with the singing of Georgia international Shalva Mamukashvili, Leicester have confirmed that hooker Youngs and scrum-half Ben have committed their futures to the club by signing new contracts.
Details of the length of the new deals have not be specified.
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Tom Youngs, a Tigers Academy graduate, has made 189 appearances for the club since his senior debut in 2006 as a 19-year-old.
The Norwich-born Youngs initially broke into the club’s senior programme as a centre after representing England at both Under-19 level and on the World Rugby Sevens Series circuit, before making the successful transition into the front row.
The 33-year-old has represented England and the British and Irish Lions on the international stage alongside brother and Tigers team-mate Ben, including featuring in all three Tests on the Lions’ successful tour of Australia in 2013.
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He picked up the club’s Players’ Player of the Year and Premiership Player of the Year awards in 2013, as well as featuring in the club’s Premiership-winning campaign in the same season.
Youngs’ former team-mate, turned coach, Geordan Murphy said the recommitment of the club captain was an important boost for Tigers at an important time in its history.
“Tom is everything you can ask for and more in a club captain,” said Murphy.
“His leadership and experience are imperative to what we are building here in Leicester and his passion for Tigers is unrivalled. To have him recommit at this point in the journey we are on is a huge boost for the playing squad, myself and the coaching staff, and our supporters.”
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Speaking about his recommitment, the one-club player admitted it was a matter of when and not if he would agree a new deal.
“I grew up here, watching dad [Nick, former Tigers player], and have been fortunate enough to represent the club I love alongside my brother for more than a decade,” he said.
“There is no shirt I would rather play in and no club I would want to be a part of other than Leicester Tigers. This place is my home and literally my family, with Dad and Ben having played here too, so as long as the opportunity remains to represent Tigers, I will keep giving everything, every single day, for the privilege.”
The Tigers skipper added he felt he had unfinished business at the club, which he was not prepared to leave without achieving.
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“We haven’t been good enough in recent years and up to the standards of not only what fans expect after many years of success, but also the high standards we set ourselves at this club,” said Youngs.
Ben Youngs graduated from the Tigers Academy in the same season he made his senior debut against Argentina at Welford Road, and has been a member of four Premiership title winning squads at Leicester.
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The Youngs brothers follow fellow internationals George Ford and Ellis Genge in agreeing new deals at Leicester Tigers alongside youngsters Tom Hardwick, Sam Aspland-Robinson and George Worth.
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