Leicester Tigers are saddened to learn of the death of former player Richard Berry who was among four brothers to play for the club in the 1960s.

Richard made 27 first-team appearances and died on June 2 at his home in Dingley, aged 75, after a short illness.

From a farming family in the Market Harborough area, Richard was among four brothers who wore the club’s colours, following the footsteps of their father Tom who made 277 appearances either side of World War Two before becoming an England selector and president of the Tigers and the Rugby Football Union.

Tom’s sons John and twins Richard and David all played first-team rugby for the club while a fourth brother, Michael, represented the Extras.

Richard made his debut as a back-rower in a draw against Coventry in October 1965 but moved to hooker a few years later and made his last appearance, coincidentally also in a drawn game, against Swansea in 1969 at the same time his father was RFU president.

Club chairman Peter Tom whose own playing career coincided with the four Berry brothers, said: “The Berry family has been associated with the Tigers for very many years, led by Tom and then by his sons, and they have made a significant contribution to the history of the club.

“On behalf of the whole club, I pass on condolences to Richard’s family and friends at this time.”