Leicester Tigers front-rower James Whitcombe was named the Young Player of the Season in the National League 2 South competition following his debut campaign as part of local club side, Leicester Lions.

The 19-year-old, who made the step up from Under-18s to senior rugby this season, has spent the 2019/20 campaign on loan to Leicester Lions, while also representing Leicester Tigers in the Premiership Rugby Shield competition.

A two-time winner of the Under-18 League with Tigers, Whitcombe also made his England Under-20s debut in 2020.

Ahead of his debut senior season, Whitcombe spent the summer of 2019 in Australia with Tigers team-mate Sam Eveleigh on loan at Sydney University, where former Tigers Pat Howard and Peter Betham played their club rugby down under.

Meanwhile, Tigers recruit for the 2020/21 season, Dan Kelly, was also a winner in the National League awards after being named Young Player of the Season in National League 2 South for his impressive campaign for Loughborough Students.