Ben Kay has paid tribute to his former PE teacher Ian Robinson, killed in a white water rafting accident in Australia, saying: "I wouldn't be where I was if it wasn't for him."

Robinson, 47, was leading a group of teenage boys from Merchant Taylors School in Crosby, Merseyside, on a three-week rugby tour.

Kay, who left the school in 1994, said: "Ian Robinson was one of the PE teachers and he was one of life's good guys. He had a good rapport with everyone and I have very fond memories of him.

"Ian wanted to foster the enjoyment side of sport with all the pupils that he taught and he did that very successfully.

"He was supportive of everyone that he came cross at the school and would encourage them all to enjoy sport, irrespective of what their ability was. I don't think that I would be where I am now if it wasn't for Ian."

Kay progressed from Merchant Taylors to play for Waterloo and then Tigers from 1999. A World Cup winner in 2003, he is currently with the England training squad preparing for the defence of that title.