Following their Premiership match this past weekend, the Leicester Tigers and Gloucester came together in support of their former player Ed Slater, in a display of solidarity as he battles motor neurone disease.
The former lock opened up about his condition, which has now limited his voice and movement in his hands and legs, in a moving interview that he gave ahead of the game. Slater, who only received an MND diagnosis last year, now uses a walking assist to help him walk.
The Ed Slater Cup was formed last year after the former Tigers and Gloucester man was forced into retirement. Slater became the latest name in a list of rugby players diagnosed with MND in their retirement, with Rob Burrow and the late Doddie Weir having suffered from the horrific condition.
Every time the two teams meet during the Gallagher Premiership season, the Ed Slater Cup will be contested. When the two teams faced off at Kingsholm Stadium on Saturday afternoon, the Tigers prevailed 20–38.
The sides gave the spectators a great game on the field of play, but after the final whistle, it became very clear that sometimes life is about more than just rugby.
Ben Youngs, a former England player and captain of the Tigers, held the cup while posing for a picture with Slater, his former teammate. Following that, Slater gathered both teams for a photo.
The 35-year-old has also been praised for his candid interview with TNT Sports’ Alastair Eykyn, where he spoke frankly about the struggles of the disease.
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