Leicester Tigers statement: Tom Youngs takes 'indefinite leave'

Former England hooker Tom Youngs is to take ‘indefinite leave’ from Leicester Tigers, the club have confirmed.

The hooker has not played for the club this season and has taken leave in order to care for his wife, who is ‘battling an illness’.

A club statement reads: “Leicester Tigers can confirm Tom Youngs has taken indefinite leave from the club.

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“The Tigers hooker was granted leave ahead of the opening round of the Gallagher Premiership season and is yet to appear in the 21/22 league campaign.

“Youngs has returned to his family home in Norfolk to care for his wife Tiffany, who is battling an illness.

“Tigers are offering support in all forms to Tom and the Youngs family during this period.

“The period of leave will remain indefinite for Tom, as long as the Tigers forward feels necessary to remain in Norfolk.

“At this time, the Youngs family have requested privacy and there will be no further comment from Tom, the Youngs family or Leicester Tigers on this matter.”

Youngs, a Tigers Academy graduate, has made 200 appearances for the club since his senior debut in 2006 as a 19-year-old.

The Norwich-born Youngs initially broke into the club’s senior programme as a centre after representing England at both Under-19 level and on the World Rugby Sevens Series circuit, before making the successful transition into the front row.

The 34-year-old has represented England and the British and Irish Lions on the international stage alongside brother and Tigers team-mate Ben, including featuring in all three Tests on the Lions’ successful tour of Australia in 2013.

The son of former Leicester scrum-half Nick Youngs, the second-generation Tiger picked up the club’s Players’ Player of the Year and Premiership Player of the Year awards in 2013, as well as featuring in the club’s Premiership-winning campaign in the same season.