Leicester Tigers chairman Peter Tom has saluted two homegrown stars who reached career milestone in the European Champions Cup match against Racing 92 last weekend.

On the day that Tigers played a 150th game in the northern hemisphere’s elite competition, club captain Tom Youngs came off the bench to make his 150th first-team appearance and front-row colleague Dan Cole was presented with a European Cup cap to mark his 50th appearance in the tournament.

In his programme notes for this Saturday’s home game against Cardiff Blues, the Tigers chairman says: “Tigers are only the third team to reach 150 games in the European Cup and it is a record in which we can all take a great deal of pride.

“It means a lot to us as a club so it hurts when we are not in the shake-up for places in the knockout stages.

“Sunday also marked two significant milestones among the playing squad with Tom Youngs reaching 150 first-team appearances and Dan Cole playing in a 50th European Cup tie.

“Both Tom and Dan have come through the ranks here to earn their status as top-class players with club and country. They both started in the Tigers academy, both gained senior experience out on loan and both overcame some significant challenges before overtaking more senior players in the squad and then establishing themselves as a first choice and as international players.

“They are among the key leaders within the camp and are shining examples for younger players who are trying to make the grade here.

“Congratulations to them both on reaching another landmark in their careers here. We hope there are many more.”

Read the full article in Saturday’s Tigers matchday programme, available around the stadium, price £3.