Leicester Tigers and Bath pay tribute to the late Steve Booth

Leicester Tigers and Bath have spoken about their shock and sadness to hear on Wednesday of the death of former player Steve Booth at the age of 42.

Geordan Murphy, a former team-mate and now head coach at Tigers, said on the Leicester Tigers website: “Steve was a big personality in a dressing room full of big personalities.

“He always had something to say, but he was also ready to help and was a real caring guy. He came in from rugby league but settled in quickly and he played the best rugby of his career at Leicester in a very successful team.

“He was a real entertainer on the pitch and will be remembered as someone who could score tries out of nothing.

“We were shocked to hear of his passing and, on behalf of everyone at Tigers, pass on condolences to his partner and their family and friends.”

In a Tweet, Bath added they were incredibly sad to hear reports of the passing of former player, who played for the club for one season. "Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all that knew him at this sad time," they wrote.

Born in Pontefract, Booth, who played rugby league at Huddersfield and Doncaster before switching to union, was a Dean Richards signing for the Tigers in summer 2000.

Leicester were halfway through a four-year league title-winning streak when he debuted on the opening day of the 2000/01 season.

By the time his four-year spell at Welford Road came to an end and he moved on to Bath, Booth had run in 26 tries in 71 appearances, shared in two Premiership titles and back-to-back European Cup victories as well getting selected by England A.

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