'It's the last dance' - Departures spurring Tigers on
What does Air Jordan, a comic book anti-hero, and a set of legendary departing Leicester Tigers players have in common?They have all starred in a blockbuster 'last dance'.It was the theme of basketball legend Michael Jordan's final glorious season with the Chicago Bulls in 1997-98, and title of the docuseries, external that chronicled his career.The final film in the Venom trilogy, external, starring Tom Hardy, got the same treatment when it was put up in Hollywood lights last year.Now Leicester are on English club rugby's biggest stage at Twickenham on Saturday to try to give a triumphant send-off to a cast of Tigers icons.It has gone unsaid among players, but it has been acknowledged as "the last dance".Ben Youngs, a five-time Premiership winner with Tigers, and Dan Cole, who has four league crowns on his own CV, will both retire at full-time.They go out together as the two most capped men in English international history.Their long-time England team-mate Mike Brown - a two-time Premiership winner with Harlequins who has been at Tigers since early 2023 – will also bow out at the same time.Captain Julian Montoya will also leave the East Midlands side, as will two-time World Cup-winning South African fly-half Handre Pollard and decorated head coach Michael Cheika.While Leicester's Australian boss has played down the significance of what will be the final 80 minutes for some of the club's finest servants, the players themselves have felt the impact.England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet, who has been Youngs' successor for club and country, says it has "100% been an element" that has spurred them on."It's not been something that we have really said out loud much, we don't say it before games, but we all know," he told BBC Radio Leicester."We look at each other and go 'right, it's their last dance'."You have got legends there, two especially, that you properly want to do it for because they deserve it for what they have given to the club and the fans."They deserve a proper send-off with a win and a trophy. It is something that has gone unsaid, but I definitely feel part of it and I'm sure a lot of the boys do as well."
Tigers will be looking to win a record-extending 12th Premiership title against a Bath side that finished 11 points clear at the top of the table at the end of the regular season.Van Poortvliet is set to feature in his first Grand Final, having been left out when Leicester dramatically beat Saracens in the 2022 decider.Full-back Freddie Steward started that game as a 21-year-old and says the impending departure of key players has united the side in much the same way as it did three years ago."There are these sub-plots that galvanise a team and bring your team together," he said."We've obviously got Coley retiring, Lenny [Youngs] retiring, Julian is off, Polly is off and they are lads that are a massive part of this team."You almost want to do it even more for them. You do it for the fans, the coaches and your family but more so than ever this season, it is for each other as well."We want to give those lads a send-off and you can probably see in the back-end of the season the difference that has made."The lads are fighting harder than ever and there is like a desperate-ness to want to be there at Twickenham on Saturday. And yeah, we will get a shot."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
14 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Four Scots named in Bath vs Leicester Premiership final squads
The English sides will compete for the crown on Saturday, June 14 with a 3pm kick-off at Twickenham. Bath's XV features two Scots with Finn Russell and Cameron Redpath both in from the start for the club. Josh Bayliss is listed as a replacement for Bath Rugby for the final. Meanwhile, Cameron Henderson is in the XV for Leicester on Saturday. Read more: Bath will be aiming to go one step better than last year when they lost the final to Northampton Saints. They are vying to complete a treble having already won the Premiership Cup and Challenge Cup. Their talisman Russell will be aiming to lift a second league title of his career after his Pro12 win with Glasgow Warriors a decade ago. Leicester Tigers, meanwhile, will be bidding for a perfect send-off for retiring club legends Dan Cole and Ben Youngs. The inclusion of veteran tighthead Cole among the replacements means there is no place in the matchday squad for Scotland squad member Will Hurd. Gallagher Premiership final - the teams Bath: Tom de Glanville, Joe Cokanasiga, Max Ojomoh, Cam Redpath, Will Muir, Finn Russell, Ben Spencer (captain); Beno Obano, Tom Dunn, Thomas du Toit, Quinn Roux, Charlie Ewels, Ted Hill, Guy Pepper, Miles Reid Replacements: Niall Annett, Francois van Wyk, Will Stuart, Ross Molony, Josh Bayliss, Tom Carr-Smith, Ciaran Donoghue, Alfie Barbeary Leicester Tigers: Freddie Steward, Adam Radwan, Solomone Kata, Joseph Woodward, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Handre Pollard, Jack van Poortvliet; Nicky Smith, Julian Montoya (captain), Joe Heyes, Cameron Henderson, Ollie Chessum, Hanro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell, Olly Cracknell Replacements: Charlie Clare, James Cronin, Dan Cole, Matt Rogerson, Emeka Ilione, Ben Youngs, Ben Volavolva, Izaia Perese
The Sun
18 minutes ago
- The Sun
First look at harrowing Hollyoaks abuse plot as son violently attacks his dad in brutal scenes
HOLLYOAKS has shared a first look at a harrowing abuse plot which sees a son violently attack his dad. The soap is highlighting child to parent abuse (CPA) in a dark storyline. 4 4 Viewers saw Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis) violently lash out at dad Ste (Kieron Richardson) amid a tense argument. After Lucas' brain tumour operation, he had been concerned about boyfriend Dillon (Nathaniel Dass). Fans know Dillon recently went through a terrifying exploitation ordeal plot. However, Ste insisted Lucas focus on his own recovery, rather than ask about his boyfriend. While in the village, Ste spotted Dillon attempting to steal cash from Liberty Savage's market stall. Dillon rocked back and forth on the ground, while declaring that he needed more spice. Upon seeing Ste, Dillon blamed him for his poor mental state. Ste apologised for keeping Lucas and Dillon apart and for referring to Dillon as "just an addict". Realising it could help both Dillon and Lucas' recovery, Ste invited him to live with the family. But Lucas was left confused later on after Ste broke the news to him. Hollyoaks star quits after nine years - and his final scenes have already aired Ste explained how he'd told Dillon to break up with Lucas - as well as keep away during the operation and recovery. Left furious, Lucas raged: "What kind of a dad does that? None of this is okay. You've messed with my whole life, Dad." The pair's argument soon got more heated as they pushed each other. This saw Lucas then get violent by punching dad Ste in the stomach. Lived experience organisation PEGS (Parental Education Growth Support) have consulted with Hollyoaks on this storyline. Michelle John, Founding Director of PEGS, said: 'We're proud to support Hollyoaks in bringing awareness to Child to Parent Abuse, taking a vital step towards this important issue being more widely recognised and spoken about. "CPA is often hidden or misunderstood, and it's vital that we start more conversations about what families are really experiencing behind closed doors. "Being such a popular programme, we know that the Hollyoaks storyline will help parents who are experiencing abusive behaviours to feel more confident in asking for support from those around them. "We're also confident it will provoke these much-needed conversations among the wider public, and we thank the production team and the actors for their commitment to portraying the storyline in a sensitive and realistic manner. Darkest soap storylines Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock... EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) - Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca's adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police. Emmerdale: Holly's drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) - In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale's first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose. Hollyoaks: Luke's rape (2000) - Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap's first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs - who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance. Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) - Just a mere mention of 'Richard Hillman' is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it's not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn't. "Families experiencing CPA are not looking for blame to be placed upon their children, and this storyline reflects the need for early intervention, support and understanding as well as highlighting the complex emotions and challenges many families face.' While Kieron Richardson, who plays Ste, previously said: "This storyline is one that as a parent is conflicting, as you would do anything for your kids. "We often think of parents disciplining children, but what happens when the dynamic is reversed? It's uncomfortable, it's emotional, and it's real. We've worked closely with experts to make sure this is portrayed truthfully, and I hope it encourages the kind of conversations that might help families going through similar situations feel seen and supported.' 4 4
Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Rita Ora flashes her abs in a TINY bralette in her THIRD outfit change as she steps out in London
Rita Ora flashed her abs in a tiny bralette as she made her third outfit change all in one day in London on Friday. The singer, 34, slipped into the very racy look after stepping out in a quirky red tracksuit and leggy number following her Heart FM appearance. As she arrived at the radio studios in London's Leicester Square, she showcased her taut midriff in a red tracksuit top from POSTER GIRL, which retails for £420. Rita, who is currently promoting her latest single Heat, was later seen departing global studios in a completely different ensemble. She flashed her toned legs in a thigh-high split skirt and long-sleeve corset bodysuit. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Her last look of the day saw the singer sport a thin-strapped lace bralette and low-waisted mini skirt, teamed with animated pink heels. The singer appeared in very high spirits as she struck a silly pose for the cameras before making her way into the studio. Meanwhile, former Saturdays star Mollie King, 38, cut a stylish figure in a tan zip-up jacket and matching flared-leg trousers as she arrived at Radio 1. The singer layered a skin-tight black vest underneath her jacket and added inches to her frame with black open-toe heels. To complete her look, she further accessorised with a dainty gold necklace and styled her blonde tresses in a flicky blowout. It comes after Rita flaunted her abs in a skimpy co-ord as she gave a surprise performance with Will Smith outside London's King's Cross station on Wednesday. The singer and the actor, 56, sent fans into a frenzy as they took part in a TikTok LIVE with DJ AG at the North London station. Rita showed off her incredible figure in a cropped black and white jacket which she wore with a pair of matching shorts. She completed her look with a pair of quirky heels and added a pair of shades and silver hoop earrings. She teamed the top with a matching trouser skirt, which featured a sex tape panel down the sides and a low-rise elasticated waistband, which retails for £315 The Poison hitmaker toted her essentials in a £395 patent leather shoulder bag and added inches to her frame with pointed black heels The singer appeared in very high spirits as she struck a silly pose for the cameras before making her way into the studio Rita, who is currently promoting her latest single Heat, was later seen departing global studios in a completely different ensemble Will later joined the party and stood out from the crowd in a red leather jacket as they delighted fans with some hits. The pair looked like they were having a great time as they hugged after the song as the gathered crowds - which included Rita's husband Taika Waititi - went wild. Earlier this week, Rita showed off her toned physique in a skimpy bikini while promoting her new single. The Let Me Love You singer was filmed soaking in the sun on holiday while strutting around her poolside listening to Heat. Rita looked sensational in the video posted on Instagram as she displayed a hint of under-boob in the vibrant orange bikini. Getting in the holiday spirit, the 34-year-old sported both a body chain and a number of anklets. Referencing her new tune, Rita captioned the video: 'Summer 25 just got hotter.' Heat has been released ahead of Rita's performance at the World Pride Music Festival in Washington on the weekend. The former The X Factor judge described the track - which features a music video set in Miami - as 'special' to her. 'I'm obsessed with this track,' she said, 'and honestly, I just wanted to have fun with it. It's bold, cheeky, and totally drenched in golden, feel-good energy. 'For me, it's all about celebrating freedom, joy, being unapologetically yourself and owning who you are. 'Dropping Heat on the same day as my World Pride performance feels like the perfect way to kick off summer - it's such a special moment for me and for my fans who have supported me over the years.' Heat is expected to feature on the pop star's upcoming album which is yet to have been named.
