Latest news with #LeicesterTigers
The Citizen
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
‘A bittersweet goodbye': The Pollards prepare to return to SA
Handré Pollard and his wife Marise are preparing to bid farewell to their life in the UK as the Springbok flyhalf makes his long-awaited return to the Bulls. After three years abroad with Leicester Tigers and five years away from South African rugby, Handré is officially heading back to Pretoria, where he will rejoin the Bulls on July 1. Accompanying him is his wife Marise and their growing family, including a baby girl due later this year. In a heartfelt Instagram Story, Marise shared her emotions about leaving their home in Market Harborough. 'Our last week here, and my heart is heavy. Going to miss our life in Market Harborough so much,' she wrote. ALSO SEE: Radio legend Darren Scott loses decades-long battle with cancer A new chapter The couple's time in the UK marked a meaningful chapter for the Pollards. Their first child, baby Hunter, was born during their stay, and their British home reflected a beautiful blend of cultures — South African roots with a European backdrop. One of Marise's most cherished spaces was their safari-themed nursery, inspired by their homeland. They also created a memory wall in their home, adorned with the co-ordinates of key locations in their journey: Where they met in Paarl, their first home in Pretoria, and residences in both France and the UK. Marise has often shared her love for the UK and the life they built there. 'South Africa will always be our home. But I'm so grateful to call the UK home as well. I love this country, I love our life here, and I love this chapter,' she posted previously. Expecting their second child and returning to their roots With their second baby on the way — a little girl expected at the end of October — the timing of the move comes at a pivotal moment for the couple. Their return to South Africa allows them to be closer to family and re-establish themselves as Handré resumes his professional rugby career on home turf. The announcement of Pollard's return to the Bulls has been met with excitement from fans, many of who are eager to see the seasoned flyhalf back in the local line-up. Looking back with love, and forward with hope While the move is undoubtedly filled with anticipation, it's clear the Pollards are also closing the door on a cherished chapter. For Marise in particular, the emotional weight of saying goodbye to a place that became home is palpable. But with new beginnings on the horizon, both personal and professional, the couple now looks ahead to a new season—one rooted in family, familiarity, and the familiar roar of Loftus Versfeld. ALSO SEE: The post 'A bittersweet goodbye': Marise and Handré Pollard prepare to return to South Africa appeared first on Woman and Home Magazine.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tigers bid to create new classroom under stand
A new classroom and press conference space could be created underneath a stand at Leicester Tigers' stadium. A bid has been submitted to Leicester City Council planners to convert a warehouse unit under the Breedon Stand at the Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium. If approved, the open plan space would be used for education for "learners with and without special educational needs and disabilities" as well as press and post-match interviews on match days. Dedicated parking for the area would also be created off Aylestone Walk, if approved. Comments can be made on the application until 18 June, with Leicester City Council then expected to rule on the bid by the end of the month. Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. England & Tigers prop Cole to retire at end of season Leicester Tigers name Parling as new head coach Leicester City Council Leicester Tigers
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Leicester Tigers bid to create new classroom under stand
A new classroom and press conference space could be created underneath a stand at Leicester Tigers' stadium.A bid has been submitted to Leicester City Council planners to convert a warehouse unit under the Breedon Stand at the Mattioli Woods Welford Road approved, the open plan space would be used for education for "learners with and without special educational needs and disabilities" as well as press and post-match interviews on match parking for the area would also be created off Aylestone Walk, if approved. Comments can be made on the application until 18 June, with Leicester City Council then expected to rule on the bid by the end of the month.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Dan Cole retires a titan who will be remembered for resilience over highlights
When looking back on the rugby life and times of Dan Cole, what is most striking is that, after almost two decades at the front-row coal face, after the triumphs, trophies and truculence, it was something entirely intangible which stands tall above all else. It is the 38-year-old's resilience; or, to borrow a sporting cliché, his bouncebackability. The veteran Leicester and England tighthead will retire at the end of the season, but, when recalling his career, it is not necessarily the highs that immediately spring to mind. It is often overlooked, given his Leicester debut came in 2007, that he burst onto the scene as English rugby's most dynamic, rounded prop. It was his mauling of then England loosehead Tim Payne against Wasps which led to a first Test cap in 2010, at the age of 23 – tender for an international tighthead. But it is easy to forget how, at one time or another, he jackalled as effectively as England's back row, too. DRC in numbers. 🐻❄️ — Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) May 27, 2025 Another 339 appearances – with, probably, a few more to come this season – for the Tigers ensued, as well as four Premiership titles. Cole wore those renowned East Midlands stripes having grown up a dyed-in-the-wool Tiger, playing his junior rugby – mostly in the back row – for the neighbouring grass-roots club, South Leicester. From those muddy pitches, a brilliant career for both England and the Lions followed; Cole made 118 appearances for England and won three Test caps for the British and Irish Lions. And yet, it was arguably the nadir of Cole's playing career which is most vividly remembered by English rugby fans. Cole was known as a destructive scrummager – ask Tom Court and the rest of the Irish front row who featured in the 2012 Six Nations – but in Yokohama, as Cole trotted off the bench early in the 2019 World Cup final, the tighthead was chewed up and spat out by a South African juggernaut hell-bent on global hegemony. Cole did not feature for his country again under then head coach Eddie Jones, believing his international career to be over while attempting to convalesce the deepest of emotional wounds and scars. But it is a measure of Cole's durability and work ethic that he returned to his club and continued to give his all for a boyhood cause. When Steve Borthwick replaced the sacked Jones as England head coach at the end of 2022, Cole sniffed a second chance. It was Cole, after all, who had been the cornerstone of the Leicester pack which, under Borthwick, had lifted the Premiership title a season earlier. With Borthwick from Leicester went Richard Wigglesworth, Kevin Sinfield and Aled Walters, the fitness guru – all of whom knew Cole well. When the inevitable England recall came, it was Walters who convinced Cole to take on the role of Stone Cold in England training, with the veteran re-enacting Steve Austin's famous wrestling entrance (replacing beer with water) to his team-mate's delight and social media acclaim. STONE COLD DAN COLE. Elite content via @JoeMarler on Instagram! #RWC2023 — Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) September 21, 2023 Whether Cole yearned for personal retribution after 2019 is not fully known; he is a unique, droll character who often kept his cards close to his chest, instead opting for wise-cracks. Regardless, there was symbolic retribution four years on. The image of him trotting off in the 56th minute of the 2023 World Cup semi-final alongside Joe Marler, his great mate, having held resolutely in the face of his demons from four years previous, a Springbok scrummaging onslaught, will stay with all those who were in the Stade de France that evening for a long time. England went on to lose, but Cole must surely have slept easy that night, after a standing ovation from the England fans in Paris, knowing he could have given no more to the cause. Cole retires as a tighthead titan and a Leicester legend alongside a cabal of his former England team-mates, in a season that has become a curtain call of sorts for English rugby. Cole, Marler, Ben Youngs – alongside whom Cole has established the successful For the Love of Rugby podcast – Mike Brown, Anthony Watson, Danny Care and Alex Goode are all now hanging up their boots. The final chapter 📖 — Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) May 27, 2025 'Overall, I have loved my career but I haven't loved every minute,' Cole said. 'That has allowed me to appreciate the good times even more. However, when I do look back on it properly at the end, I know I won't want to change anything about it.' Those words from the man himself are telling. Tuesday was a poignant day for Cole, as well as those close to him, yet, as ever with this great Midlands yeoman, we can be sure that, whatever the next move, brightness lies ahead. History can reassure us of that.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Former England prop Dan Cole announces he will retire at end of season
Former England prop Dan Cole has announced he is to retire at the end of the season. The 38-year-old, who is the country's second-most capped men's player with 118, will hang up his boots at the conclusion of Leicester's campaign. Cole featured in four World Cups with England, reaching the final in 2019, and has won four Premiership titles with the Tigers. He also toured twice with the British and Irish Lions. DRC in numbers. 🐻❄️ — Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) May 27, 2025 The veteran said his decision was partly influenced by that of Ben Youngs, his long-time team-mate for club and country, who is also retiring. Cole told Leicester's website: 'It has not been an easy decision at all. I have been to-ing and fro-ing – however, I think this is the best time for me to finish playing. 'I believe with Ben Youngs, Julian Montoya and others that are in and around my age ending their time at the club at the end of the season, plus the new chapter next season with Geoff Parling coming in as head coach, it's time for the club to kick on and the right time for me to go. 'As you get older, physically, it's definitely harder to carry on and, looking around the changing room, I am 10 years older than most of the guys in there with me and that's challenging as well. 'I don't want to be the old guy, just sat around and hanging on to something for too long.' Cole, a graduate of the Tigers' academy, has made 340 senior appearances for the club since his debut in October 2007. He had loan spells at Bedford Blues and Nottingham early in his career before establishing himself as a regular in the Leicester side in the 2008-09 campaign. His first England cap came in 2010 and he went on to win three Six Nations titles, in 2011, 2016 and 2017. England head coach Steve Borthwick paid tribute to his former team-mate. Borthwick said: 'It was a privilege to play alongside Dan at the start of his Test career and later to coach him. 'He's not only a brilliant team player, but also a rare talent. His loyalty and service to both England and Leicester Tigers have been truly outstanding. 'While his retirement marks the end of a remarkable playing career, I've no doubt he'll continue to make a meaningful impact in whatever comes next. We all wish him the very best for the future.' 118 appearances in an England Rugby jersey 🌹 Thank you, Dan 👏 — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 27, 2025 Cole played all three Lions Tests against Australia in 2013 and also toured New Zealand four years later. And he has a chance to bow out with another title with Leicester currently second in the Gallagher Premiership ahead of the final round of regular-season fixtures. He said: 'It's clear it is not over yet. This is about finishing my career at the end of our season. There is still hopefully a few more games left for me to play.'
