Geoff Parling hails 'champion bloke' Ed Slater, vows more to come from 'hungry' Leicester Tigers after imperious win over Gloucester

React to this story

Leicester Tigers lifted the Slater Cup after an overwhelming 45-14 win over Gloucester at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. Geoff Parling spoke to TNT Sports after the win, and paid an emotional tribute to Ed Slater, who played for both clubs and was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2022. Solomone Kata and Freddie Steward starred for the hosts, who ran in seven tries.

'Champion bloke' - Parling honours Slater after emotional Welford Road win

Video credit: TNT Sports

Geoff Parling sent an emotional message to Ed Slater and his family after Leicester Tiger's 45-14 win over Gloucester saw them lift the Slater Cup.

Slater, who played for both clubs, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2022 and forced to retire from rugby.

Friday evening's fixture was the seventh edition of the cup and Tigers reclaimed the trophy after last playing for it in January at Kingsholm.

Rugby

PREM Rugby Cup 2026/27 to begin on TNT Sports

15/07/2026 at 09:25

"Can I just mention as well, that was the Slater Cup today. Thoughts to Ed, Jo, the kids. I know they're watching at home," Parling said in his post-match interview with TNT Sports.

"I was messaging him during the week. He was a champion bloke, is still a champion bloke. He was a competitor and that's what you saw out there today from us."

The win sees Leicester climb to second in the table, just a point behind Bath who travel to Newcastle Red Bulls on Sunday.

Leicester scored seven tries as they annihilated Gloucester, who failed to take advantage of their line breaks and opportunities whenever they presented themselves.

That allowed the hosts to run up a 31-0 lead, with The Cherries only getting on the scoreboard as the game approached the hour mark.

Solomone Kata and Freddie Steward were at the centre of almost everything good the Tigers produced.

The former made a storming break to set up his side's first try before scoring a scintillating solo try from halfway 10 minutes later.

"I thought Solo was absolutely outstanding," Parling said about his Tongan centre. "He's actually a very good mover of the ball and a very good communicator in the backline as well.

"You can get pigeonholed a little bit as being just a physical threat. He's much more than a physical threat, he's actually a really important leader in the group in his own way."

Highlights: Tigers shine in seven-try rout of Gloucester to lift Slater Cup

Video credit: TNT Sports

It was also a night that proved what Tigers will dearly miss in Nicky Smith, who prevailed in a tantalising scrum battle with Nepo Laulala.

The Welsh loosehead announced this week his intention to join Sale Sharks next season, and he showed the crowd some wonderful scrummaging.

"I thought we were on top," Parling said of the scrum battle. "They didn't want to get in the contest, if I'm honest. I was pretty frustrated going into half-time and thought we were not getting the rub of the green like I thought we should have had at scrum time."

Another departure next year will be that of George Martin, and perhaps in response to the news that he will be losing two prized players, Parling was quick to mention the number of caps and experience his side lost last season too.

"When I took the job everyone spoke about the amount of experience and leadership we lost last year," the former England international said.

"A serious number of caps. We lost double the amount of international caps that we have in the squad now. My biggest and most pleasing aspect is that I've leaders throughout the group. And I have a new group of leadership that is ready to step up and drive this club forward.

"You see Ollie Chessum and Hanro Liebenberg and Jack van Poortvliet, but there's a group as well. So many guys, Freddie Steward and Tommy Reffell tonight.

"There's another group below that. I'm seeing guys that are hungry to work for each other. It's just pleasing that they're continuing to drive each other, we compete really hard in training, and standards are good.

"I fully believe that the habits that you employ in training are what will happen on the pitch. But I'm seeing a group that works hard for each other. You can always fix bits of accuracy, but you can't fix heart, and I'm seeing a lot of heart in the group."

Sharp Steward playing with 'smile on his face'

England and Leicester full-back Steward caught up with TNT Sports after the game, and spoke about how much he enjoys being able to showcase his improved attacking talents.

The Tigers back has always been one of the best under the ball, but stressed how hard he has worked to sharpen the offensive elements of his game.

"Silverware was on the line, we knew it was going to be a tough game," he said. "We challenged ourselves to come out flying at the start because we knew there was going to be a lot of emotion from Gloucester. We had a few scares early on, but we stuck in, pulled away and had to dog it out at the end.

"Whenever you play for silverware, it's important to lay down a marker. With what's on the line and Ed and the relation he has to Leicester Tigers and with everything going on, it's important that we did him proud tonight, and Gloucester certainly did as well.

'Playing with a smile on my face' - Steward shines in seven-try victory for Tigers

Video credit: TNT Sports

"There's no shying away from it, the attacking side of my game probably hasn't been a strength over the last couple of years. It's been a challenge for me to add strings to my bow. For me, it's more of a confidence thing. Getting my hands on the ball, wanting to run and beat defenders, and play with a smile on my face and play with confidence.

"We all love scoring tries. I've probably been shoeboxed a bit with my high-ball stuff, and it's nice to show a bit of the other side of my game, and that I've been working hard, hopefully people can see that.

"I think we're in a really good spot. Geoff's a great people man. The lads love him, we all have great relationships with him. And I think it's clear that Geoff's here to stay and we want to build something special over the next couple of years, and it starts now."

Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+

PREM