Graham Rowntree saluted the Leicester Tigers supporters after his final club appearance against Argentina on Sunday. The Tigers legend made his 398th and final club appearance in a 50-minute outing as captain during a 41-21 defeat by the visitors which also earned him the sponsors' PwC man-of-the-match award.
And although the fuss generated by the opportunity to say thank-you to one of their heroes is not exactly what he is used to, the former England international prop said: "Although I was disappointed with the result of the game, I was delighted to be given the opportunity by the club to run out in front of the team and see the fans who have been so loyal to me in my time here.
"I got a very nice reception, it was a nice touch. The club means a lot to me. I was emotional before the game but managed to keep that in check. This was like signing off for me. But I am not leaving, I am coaching here and I am enjoying that."
A crowd of 11,000 cheered Rowntree to the rafters as he ran out alone before kick-off, again when he left the field in the second half and when he finally left after the presentations.
"Just before we ran out I said to the rest of the team, 'Come on, don't wait too long' because I didn't want to be left out there," he said. "I am not big on the limelight but it was emotional and the club have been great in allowing me to lead them out one last time.
"There was a great crowd - that shows our fan-base, and they are very special. If you think of the big games we have won here over the years, the crowd has pulled us through. Other teams talk about how difficult it can be to play here, and we are very fortunate."
Rowntree admitted a certain anxiety before taking the field at the head of a young pack.
"I was more worried about thinking 'Am I up to this?' Some of the young guys in the team do not get many opportunities and some of them may never get another chance to play international rugby, and I did not want to let them down."
Rowntree made his Leicester debut in October 1990 and played in five championship-winning teams, four domestic cup finals and three Heineken Cup finals over the next 16 years. He stands sixth on the club's all-time appearances list and his 398 appearances included 18 tries and a club record 59 games in the Heineken Cup. He also gained 54 caps for England, and played two Tests for the British & Irish Lions.
Head coach Pat Howard said: "Graham Rowntree has been fantastic for the club. He is the heart and soul of Leicester Tigers and I am over the moon that he had such a fantastic reception from all of the crowd. I thank all the supporters who were here to share his big day."
And although the fuss generated by the opportunity to say thank-you to one of their heroes is not exactly what he is used to, the former England international prop said: "Although I was disappointed with the result of the game, I was delighted to be given the opportunity by the club to run out in front of the team and see the fans who have been so loyal to me in my time here.
"I got a very nice reception, it was a nice touch. The club means a lot to me. I was emotional before the game but managed to keep that in check. This was like signing off for me. But I am not leaving, I am coaching here and I am enjoying that."
A crowd of 11,000 cheered Rowntree to the rafters as he ran out alone before kick-off, again when he left the field in the second half and when he finally left after the presentations.
"Just before we ran out I said to the rest of the team, 'Come on, don't wait too long' because I didn't want to be left out there," he said. "I am not big on the limelight but it was emotional and the club have been great in allowing me to lead them out one last time.
"There was a great crowd - that shows our fan-base, and they are very special. If you think of the big games we have won here over the years, the crowd has pulled us through. Other teams talk about how difficult it can be to play here, and we are very fortunate."
Rowntree admitted a certain anxiety before taking the field at the head of a young pack.
"I was more worried about thinking 'Am I up to this?' Some of the young guys in the team do not get many opportunities and some of them may never get another chance to play international rugby, and I did not want to let them down."
Rowntree made his Leicester debut in October 1990 and played in five championship-winning teams, four domestic cup finals and three Heineken Cup finals over the next 16 years. He stands sixth on the club's all-time appearances list and his 398 appearances included 18 tries and a club record 59 games in the Heineken Cup. He also gained 54 caps for England, and played two Tests for the British & Irish Lions.
Head coach Pat Howard said: "Graham Rowntree has been fantastic for the club. He is the heart and soul of Leicester Tigers and I am over the moon that he had such a fantastic reception from all of the crowd. I thank all the supporters who were here to share his big day."
