Ben Youngs

Leicester's spit-and-sawdust training ground and no-nonsense methods have been a source of significant pride at the club and a fundamental part of their success over the years. But as she sat at Oval Park earlier this month, Tigers chief executive Andrea Pinchen had a very clear message for everyone associated with the organisation she heads up. 'Finishing eighth isn't what Leicester is about,' Pinchen said, calmly but clearly.

Ben Youngs has revealed that he is recovering from heart surgery after fearing the worst when he suffered a medical scare during an open training session at Leicester. The 34-year-old scrum-half had a two-hour operation in Birmingham, having been diagnosed with arrhythmia and supraventricular tachycardia. England's most-capped men's player - who made a record-breaking 127 Test appearances for his country - expects to be fit for the start of next season, and the Tigers veteran is relieved that under-lying conditions have been discovered and resolved.

England's next generation of young talent has been told there is no reason why they can't lift the World Cup in Australia in 2027 by the country's most capped men's player Ben Youngs. After a promising end to this year's Six Nations, which included a win over eventual champions Ireland and a strong display in a narrow defeat by France, the next challenge for Steve Borthwick's side is a summer meeting with Japan and two Tests with New Zealand in the southern hemisphere. Former scrum-half Youngs retired from England duty after helping them finish third at last year's global showpiece. Courtney Lawes and Owen Farrell have also moved on from Tests too.