Murphy commended each of the departing players for their contribution to the club over their varied times in Leicester.

“We have a mixed bag of experience leaving us this season, who have all given their all during their time in the Tigers shirt,” he said.

“Some of those leaving us have achieved a lot on the pitch, including Premiership wins for Mat Tait and Graham Kitchener, and then of course Matt Smith who leaves with seven trophies to his name and a legacy of commitment to the club second to none over his fourteen seasons in the top squad.

“Those three are easy to point out in terms of silverware won, but there is a lot more that people contribute to away from the fixtures each weekend while at the club and I commend each of the departing players for what they have given in terms of effort, commitment and knowledge while a member of our proud club.

“I wish all of them the best in their next chapters, whether it be as players or life after rugby, and am sure the fans will join me in thanking them for their contributions to our proud club.

“They have all joined a special group of people who can say they have played for this club and, as we say in Leicester, once a Tiger, always a Tiger.”

Supporters can farewell the departing players when Leicester Tigers take on Bath in the final fixture of the 2018/19 Gallagher Premiership season at Welford Road on Saturday, May 18, with the squad to do a lap of honour of the pitch following the full-time whistle.