Bobby Sourbuts, the lead physiotherapist at Leicester Tigers, was on the touchline at Welford Road for the final time on Saturday before moving on to a new role at the RFU.
A familiar figure on the touchline at Tigers fixtures since 2008, Bobby is responsible for injury management for the first-team squad and as a sideline medic for all Aviva Premiership and European Champions Cup games, a role he has filled in more than 300 games.
He leaves Tigers to join the RFU and the England team. Everyone at the club sends their best wishes for the future and some of the players have paid their own tributes which we published in the matchday programme for Saturday’s game against Castres.
Ben Youngs: "Bobby has been a huge part of Tigers. His commitment to the players’ personal wellbeing and individual needs to help perform at the weekend has been outstanding. Everything he does is to benefit the team, going above and beyond to ensure the boys have what they need and are looked after when rehabbing from injury. I personally would like to thank Bobby and wish him every success in the future."
Mathew Tait: "Bobby, wishing you all the best, I am very thankful for the time you spent helping put me right in the early years, particularly with the groin when there were some very dark days. Good luck in an exciting new venture, wishing you all the best my friend."
Tom Youngs: "Bobby you have always been there to repair the damage in and after games. Nothing has ever been too much trouble and I am going to miss your friendly face around the club. Thanks for all you have done and all the best with the next chapter. Legend"
Tom Croft: "Unfortunately I've been no stranger to the physio room over the years, in fact squatter’s rights have probably resulted in me being the head of the department! Bobby, I'm sure will tell you that he is sick of the sight of me, but I can honestly say he has kept me going through some of my biggest challenges, fracturing my neck being one of them. A leading medical department needs guys like Bobby willing to go that extra mile, be it on a Sunday morning after arriving home in the early hours from an away game or heading back and forth from seeing specialists in order to leave no stone unturned. These small things shave weeks off the recovery process and ultimately that is what we as players are after. I wish him all the best in his next challenge with England. Good luck mate."
Dan Cole: "Bobby, you are one of the true unsung heroes of the team. While the amount of time and hard work you have invested in myself and us all can never truly be repaid, please know that we are all eternally grateful for what you have done for us and as a team. You will be missed."
