Ben Youngs has been named Leicester Tigers Players' Player of the Season.

Tighthead Dan Cole won his teammates’ vote for Young Player of the Season at an awards dinner attended by 1880 Club members and player sponsors in the Caterpillar Stand at Welford Road on Tuesday night.

“I was in absolute shock, to be honest,” said Youngs, who made his England debut during this season’s RBS 6 Nations. “I think it is one of nicest feelings I have ever had. I don’t think it gets much better than winning something that the players and the boys vote for.

“I am grateful I am playing at Leicester and a cap came my way, which I never expected. The aim is to lift a trophy at the end of the season, that’s the goal for the team and the whole squad, to win the Guinness Premiership.”

Cole also made his international debut during the Six Nations, playing in all five of England's games. He said: "It means a lot coming from the guys you play with. They are the ones you work with day in and day out. It is not just what happens on the pitch but off the field as well. It is a massive honour.

"The squad is focussed on the run-in. We have a final league game and then a home semi-final and we want to keep our home record."