Tributes paid to ex-England rugby player Squires

Tributes have been paid to former England rugby union international and Yorkshire cricketer Peter Squires, who has died aged 74.

Squires won 29 caps and scored six tries for England during the 1970s, as well as touring New Zealand with the Lions in 1977.

In the same decade, he played 49 first-class matches for Yorkshire as a batsman, averaging 39.50.

England Rugby said it offered its "deepest condolences" to Squires' family and friends.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club general manager Gavin Hamilton paid tribute to Squires as a "mentor and very good friend".

He added: "For someone who achieved so much in an era when sport was as tough as it gets, Peter truly shone and, above all, he remained incredibly humble about his achievements.

"He will be sorely missed and I would like to pass on my sincere condolences to Gail and the rest of his family."

At local level, Squires played cricket and rugby for both his hometown Ripon and Harrogate.

Calling him a "Harrogate legend" in a tribute on Facebook, Harrogate Rugby said Squires was "a wonderful rugby player, an even better man, and a proud part of our club's history".

Ripon Rugby Club said it would hold a minute's applause in Squires' memory before its match this weekend.

They added: "Our thoughts are with Peter's family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him, during this difficult time."

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