1997 Season History

CAPTAIN: MARTIN JOHNSON
FIRST CAPTAINED: v Orell on January 14 1995, 29-19 win

International imports started to join the Leicester squad’s core of long-serving players as rugby spread its wings in a new professional world, with Tigers putting their best forward forward as one of the country’s leading clubs, reaching the European Cup Final at the first attempt in 1997 and building on an upward trajectory which would bring four league titles, back-to-back European Cups, bumper crowds and big signings around the turn of the millennium. 

Johnson captained more matches than any other tigers player, overseeing four successive Premiership crowns, back to back European cups and a run of 57 home games without defeat. He was first to lead an English side to the Treble in 2000/2001 and was selected as captain in the Tigers' Team of the Century.