Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints observed an emotional minute's applause in memory of Tiffany Youngs ahead of their Premiership semi-final.
Tiffany, the wife of former England and Leicester hooker Tom Youngs, died on Wednesday after a brave, eight-year battle with cancer. As a tribute, players and fans from both sides observed a minutes applause for Tiffany at a packed Welford Road.
Brother-in-law Ben Youngs, starting at scrum-half for Leicester, could be seen holding back tears during the tribute. He had previously opted not to tour with the British and Irish Lions in 2017 after his sister-in-law's cancer diagnosis was confirmed as terminal.
She was told in 2018 that her cancer was in remission. However, the illness returned - leading to former Lions hooker Tom to retire from rugby in April at the age of 35, having been on indefinite leave since October.
As a Northampton player, Wales fly-half Dan Biggar was one of many present to observe the impeccable tribute. Earlier in the week, he paid tribute to Tiffany ahead of the semi-final.
“First and foremost, from a personal as well as club point of view, all our thoughts are with Tom and his family,” Biggar said.
“A game of rugby pales into insignificance beside what that family is going through and I imagine there’s going to be a huge amount of emotion at Welford Road.
“My hope is that the game can be played in the right way to honour Tiffany - and that it brings supporters and players together.
“As much as it means so much to us all, it is very much second fiddle to the greater good in terms of Tom and his family.”
