Jason Leonard leads tributes to David Duckham after former England and Lions back dies aged 76

Jason Leonard led tributes to revered former England and Lions player David Duckham, who has passed away at the age of 76.

“It’s very sad to hear the news of the loss of one of England’s greatest players and greats,” said Leonard, England’s World Cup-winning mainstay who became RFU chairman and Lions chairman. “I spent many hours with David at events and it was an absolute joy to be in his company.”

Duckham made almost 200 appearances for Coventry between 1967 and 1979, as a local hero who rose to the heights of his sport.

The club paid tribute on Tuesday and will hold a minute’s silence on Saturday before their game against Jersey Reds.

In an era when England was not recognized as a great artist, Duckham broke the mold when he burst onto the international scene. Initially, he formed a midfield alliance with John Spencer, but he switched to the wing and won 36 Test matches for his country, scoring 10 tries.

However, it is his exploits in other jerseys that are most fondly remembered by fans. On the Lions’ triumphant 1971 tour of New Zealand, Duckham played in three of four Tests and scored 11 tries, including six in one game.

On that mission to the far south, he thrived under the guidance of legendary Welsh coach Carwyn James and would go on to become a respected figure in the Principality, despite his nationality.

In 1973, Duckham’s performance for the Barbarians in their famously glorious 23-11 win over New Zealand in Cardiff elevated him into rugby folklore.

The only English full-back surrounded by Welsh greats, he tore the All Black defense to shreds and wowed the locals, who nicknamed him ‘Dai’, to reflect that he was so good he could have been one of their own.

When Duckham’s autobiography was published, it was titled Dai for England, a reference to that cross-border tribute.