Leicester Tigers new statue to fallen team members unveiled

The “When we were Tigers” statue has been formally unveiled outside the Leicester Rugby Club stadium to commemorate the 54 Leicester Tigers rugby players who lost their lives fighting as a consequence of war.

Designed by Harvey Gardiner, FRSA and created with artist Steve Winterburn. the 20ft sculpture is a contemporary design symbolising the bravery and courage to the players who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Created in Solid Bronze, Corten and Stainless steel, the giant tiger’s head faces towards Ypres where several players lost their lives in the First World War.

QR codes on the plaques enable a film download, covering the players' stories from Bida in Nigeria (where the first player LT A.C.Thomson was killed in 1897) in the African Conflicts), to Berlin in 1945 at the end of the Second World War.

This project has brought together hundreds of different people and organisations including Martin Johnson, Rory Underwood, The Dean of Leicester Cathedral, The British Lions, The R.F.U, The Royal British Legion, The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, The Royal Leicestershire Regiment, The Army, Navy, and R.A.F along with fans and supporters.