In the build-up to Christmas, Leicester Tigers players visited patients and NHS staff at two Leicester hospitals to help raise spirits during the festive season.

Manu Tuilagi, Sione Kalamafoni and academy graduate Henri Lavin visited Glenfield hospital while Jonny May, Jordan Coghlan, Nephi Leatigaga and development squad player Taylor Gough went to Leicester Royal Infirmary.

The players visited children's and adult wards and intensive care units, visiting patients at their bedside and talking to families as well as hearing from nurses and doctors about the support and care that each ward provides. 

Manu, Sione and Henri also went Glenfield Hospital’s very own Santa’s Grotto on Ward 30 in the Children’s Ward. 

Each year, the charity KeepTheBeat, who support the lives of children born with a congenital heart defects, decorate one of the rooms in the ward as an icy grotto, offering patients a chance to meet Santa and play in the room. 

Staff, patients and families had their photos taken with the Tigers and received goody bags filled with Christmas cards, matchday programmes and activities for youngsters. 

The club would like to say a huge thank you to all the staff at Glenfield Hospital and the Leicester Royal Infirmary for inviting the players to meet patients and families. 

Take a look at a selection of the photos from both hospital visits in the gallery above.