Rugby Club catches up with Sam Vesty ahead of Leicester's final meeting with London Irish.
Fly-half fourth generation of his family to represent the Tigers
When it comes to being classed a family club, Leicester bring it to a whole new level.
Sam Vesty, set to line out for the Tigers in Saturday's Guinness Premiership final, is the fourth generation of his family to play for the club. Dad Phil was a prop in the 70's, granddad a winger in the 40's, while his great-granddad played centre back in 1909.
"It just feels like second nature to be honest, but when you do actually think about it - your dad, granddad and great-granddad playing - it's pretty amazing," Vesty told Rugby Club. "We actually start off as good-looking guys, but then after a few broken noses and cauliflower ears you end up like me!"
While Vesty is now firmly in the Leicester limelight, only earlier this season he was planning on moving abroad. Previous coach Marcelo Loffreda didn't rate the 27-year-old and he subsequently struggled to nail down a first-team place.
However, Loffreda's replacement Richard Cockerill viewed Vesty differently, and his performances while Leicester's international players were on Six Nations duty has seen him become an integral part to the Tigers squad.
"He gives his heart and soul on both the rugby and training field," said Cockerill. "He looks a bit unfashionable with his curly ginger hair but he's the heart and soul of the club at the moment, and he has been for a long time. Given the association of his family here and their history, that just adds to the spirit in the team."
Cockerill is just two games away from a dream return as Leicester coach. London Irish stand between them and Premiership honours, while they will compete with Irish province Leinster for Heinken Cup glory. Cockerill is laying all the credit at the players' feet though.
"The players have been great. They've looked after themselves and conducted in a professional way. Training is intense every week and that increases even further ahead of big games. The players bring that; it doesn't matter how much I shout. The players have to take the credit for the way we've been playing."
