From scrums to buns - ex-England hooker Youngs on new burger venture

A former international rugby union star who tasted the highs for club and country has said he now loves spending his weekends running a burger stall on the family farm.

Tom Youngs was a hooker for Leicester Tigers and England, and played for both teams - including in a World Cup - with his younger brother, scrum-half Ben.

After retiring four years ago, Youngs returned to the family farm near Aylsham, Norfolk, where he recently set up a "Scrums and Buns" stall and bar in one of its fields.

"I've always wanted to do something like this... it's just then having the confidence to do it and it's gone really well so far," he said.

The 39-year-old, who earned 28 England caps, was Leicester's player of the season when they won the Premiership title in 2013 - the same year he was part of the victorious British & Irish Lions tour of Australia.

He now works full-time on the arable side of the farm owned by his father, Nick, who was the family's first international rugby player, and scrum-half for Leicester in the 1980s.

Tom Youngs previously credited the farm work for helping him with his loneliness following the death of his wife, Tiffany, shortly after his retirement from the game in 2022.

Speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk, he admitted he had never dreamed of going from international rugby to burgers but had found it "a really nice way to spend the weekend".

"That's the way of the world, and farming at the moment - diversification is the key thing to our business," he added.

"It's been fantastic welcoming so many families enjoying the countryside.

"There's a bit of a disconnect in the countryside at the moment, and I think getting kids on farms is really important.

"If we can get them down here and enjoy a good local burger from a conversation with a parent, that leads on to good examples of what we're doing on our farm to help nature and all sorts of things."

The new venture is a partnership with cousin George and a professional caterer, with "all the family" helping out with the stall, the bar and chatting with customers.

That included England's most-capped player Ben, 36, who retired from Leicester Tigers last season.

"He usually pops down and has a look, has a burger and brings the kids," said Tom.

"It's been nice for kids who love rugby to come down and get an autograph."

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