Leicester Tigers #2340 Richard Wigglesworth has been inducted into the Premiership Rugby Hall of Fame, presented by Gallagher.
Wigglesworth, who played pivotal roles as a player and coach in his time at the club, was a starter in the successful 2022 Premiership final for Tigers.
A seven-time Premiership champion, Wigglesworth holds the record for league appearances having played 322 Premiership games.
Wigglesworth, said: “To be inducted into the Hall of Fame is a really special moment for me and my family.
“I’m very proud to receive this honour as I loved competing for all those years in the Premiership.
“I just absolutely loved what I did, I was very ambitious and wanted to win with my mates and help the teams that I played in. So I am also lucky to do the job that I do now and still be around rugby.
“But nothing will ever be close to putting everything in as a player every week and enjoying that process along the way.
“The first title with every club was always special. The first with Sale Sharks, a northern club that was closest to where I grew up – winning the title when I was just 21 with all of my mates.
“Then I took a big leap to move to Saracens after nine years at Sale. Sarries evolved from that South African influence to a group of young English lads who had come through the Academy together.
“And then to finish it with Leicester Tigers and beat a team that I played for, and who hadn’t lost a final in a long time, was unbelievable.
“To cap it all off, winning it again with Leicester was thanks to a remarkable turnaround under Steve Borthwick – we packed so much into such a short space of time to win the Premiership.”
Phil Winstanley, Rugby Director at Premiership Rugby, said: “Richard is one of the most decorated players in Premiership Rugby history and is now seeking the same success as a coach.
"He made a record 322 Premiership Rugby appearances and I think it will be some time before anyone comes anywhere near to this amount of games - such was the incredible longevity of his career at the very highest level.
“Having won seven Premiership titles with Sale Sharks, Saracens and Leicester Tigers is phenomenal - but to win Premiership titles fifteen years apart is a remarkable feat.
“Added to all of Richard’s ability on the field, he is also a great person off it, and we are delighted to welcome him to the Premiership Rugby Hall of Fame alongside Paul Sackey and Danny Grewcock this year.”
