A total of four former Lions tourists helped Leicester Tigers claim the Guinness Premiership crown at Twickenham on Saturday evening.
Tigers captain Geordan Murphy, Julian White, Ben Kay and Lewis Moody, who all toured with the Lions in 2005, saw game time during a tense 10-9 win over London Irish in England’s domestic showpiece.
Leicester also included 2009 Lion Harry Ellis, although the scrum-half was an unused replacement behind goal-kicking Frenchman Julien Dupy.
The Tigers trailed 6-3 before a converted try from No8 Jordan Crane sealed the Club’s second English title in three seasons.
The Exiles did manage a long-range penalty from England full back Delon Armitage eight minutes before the end, but Richard Cockerill’s men hung on to complete the first part of a possible domestic and European double.
Another former Lion was given the honour of lifting the trophy despite being missing from the matchday 22. Leicester club captain and 2001 and 2005 Lions tourist Martin Corry enjoyed the symbolic moment just a week after announcing his retirement at the end of the current campaign.
Leicester now turn their attentions to next weekend’s clash with Leinster in Edinburgh as they look to repeat their Heineken Cup and English League doubles of 2001 and 2002.
