The club’s first women’s captain and Player #001, Natasha Jones, has retired from rugby.
"It’s been an honour to play and captain Leicester Tigers for the past three years. It was a childhood dream for me and will forever be my greatest achievement."
Jones made 53 Leicester Tigers appearances in three seasons.
A longtime supporter of the club before she began playing, she began her playing career at nearby Leicester Forest RFC before being scouted by a coach from nearby Lichfield Ladies, who she went on to feature for prominently throughout what was then the top division of women’s rugby in England.
‘Tash’ – as she is known by teammates – represented England at Under-20s, helping win the Nations Cup in California in 2011, and England ‘A’.
She joined Loughborough Lightning ahead of their Premier 15s debut in 2017 and, in three seasons, made 43 appearances and scored 90 points.
Jones joined Tigers ahead of the club’s inaugural women’s campaign, in the 22/23 Championship 1 North season, and captained the team to first place in the league and subsequent Final at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
She captained Tigers in the first-ever women’s fixture at Mattioli Woods Welford Road and first-ever PWR fixture a year later, going on to start in every PWR match during the 23/24 campaign. Jones was captain for the club’s first-ever women’s win, away at Sale Sharks.
She made 13 appearances in the 24/25 PWR campaign to finish with 53 appearances, the third-most of any women’s player for Leicester Tigers.
Speaking about her decision to retire, Jones said: "It’s been a really hard decision to make, something I’ve been thinking about for the past few months but the timing is right for me.
"It’s been an honour to play and captain Leicester Tigers for the past three years. It was a childhood dream for me and will forever be my greatest achievement.
"The moments that I will never forget will be running out at MWWR for the first time at such an iconic ground as well as our first Premiership victory, against Sale Sharks.
"I hope the legacy that has been created by previous and current players will continue at the club and produce the stars of tomorrow.
"I’d like to thank all of my team mates, coaches, staff and the wonderful fans who supported me over the years.
"#001 over and out".
