Ben Youngs commits to 19th season at Leicester Tigers

Leicester Tigers have continued their drive to secure players for next season by a tying down scrum-half Ben Youngs for a 19th season at Welford Road.

The 34-year-old followed academy products George Martin and Joe Heyes in putting pen to paper to continue his legendary career in the Midlands.

While Youngs is at the other end of his career to Martin and Heyes, the positive for Leicester is that they will benefit from his availability throughout the season. Having retired from Test rugby at the end of the World Cup, the 2024/25 campaign will be the first time in well over a decade that England's most capped player will be able to focus solely on the Tigers all year.

The 127-cap England international made his Premiership debut in 2007 at the age of 17, becoming the youngest player to do so at the time, and has gone on to play over 300 games for the Tigers, becoming a legend in the process.

After the new deal was announced, Youngs said: “Coming home from the World Cup, you could sense there was a great energy in the club. I have credit Dan and his staff for that and it’s just something I want to continue to be a part of.

“It goes without saying, this club means the world to me and my family so I’m just happy to be able to contribute any way I can, whether it’s playing or helping to guide the young lads through.”

Head coach Dan McKellar said: “From day one, Ben has been terrific to work with and it’s great that he’s agreed to extend his time at the club.”

“His leadership and commitment to the club is something that you never doubt, and he’s been a big part in us building momentum the last couple of months.”