Dan Cole says a place in the Premiership Final is reward for a squad-wide effort throughout the 24/25 campaign.
Speaking after the 21-16 win over Sale Sharks in front of more than 20,000 fans at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, which was his final appearance at the venue he has called home for almost two decades, the retiring front-rower immediately praised his team mates.
"It means a lot, it's a great reward for a great group who have all given a lot to get to this point," said Cole.
"Everybody in this squad, not just the guys who played today, have been involved this season and played a part in getting to this point."
Looking ahead to the Premiership Final showdown with Bath Rugby, he added: "We go to Twickenham to take on a Bath team that have been out front all season."
"It's a bit of a free swing for us really, because everyone will make us the underdogs and so what we do now is go there and put everything on the line for one another."
Asked whether he was surprised at he and his fellow Tigers reaching the final weekend, Cole was clear in his feelings towards the suggestion.
"I'm not surprised that we are where we are at all," Cole said.
"The core of this squad has been together since that 2022 season and, with a couple of key ins and outs, when we are aligned and know what we're doing, you can see just how good we are."
