Dan Cole aiming to follow in the footsteps of Leicester Tigers hero

Props are not traditionally renowned for what they offer to the world's more intellectual discussions.

But Leicester Tigers' 22-year-old tight-head, Dan Cole, is one smart cookie.

"Who were your childhood heroes when you watched the club as a youngster?" he was asked at the weekend.

"Richard Cockerill. Obviously," came the reply.

"I was born across the road at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. A friend used to have season tickets and took me along to watch the greats. My heroes were the ABC Club, with the likes of Cockers, Darren Garforth and Graham Rowntree."