Tiffany Youngs, the wife of former Leicester Tigers and England hooker Tom, has died after being diagnosed with lymphatic cancer in 2014.
Tom, who chose not to take part in England’s Tour of New Zealand that year to be with his wife, retired in April having been on indefinite leave for six months.
His wife was told in 2017 her cancer would be terminable.
The couple were given hope when a year later she was in remission, but the disease returned.
Tom and Tiffany Youngs with their daughter, Maisie
Instagram
“Leicester Tigers are deeply saddened by the news that Tiffany Youngs has passed away after her heroic battle with illness,” said a statement from the club.
“On behalf of everybody at the club, we send our condolences to the Youngs and Sands families.
“The club will be providing no further details and asks that the Youngs and Sands families have their privacy respected at this time.”
Tributes have flooded in from players and teams in the rugby world.
Tiffany and Tom have a daughter Maisie, who was born just before her mum was diagnosed with cancer.