Dave Egerton, a five-time league winner with Bath and capped seven times by England, dies aged 59 – days after he was admitted to hospital with Covid-19
Former Bath and England number eight Dave Egerton has died at the age of 59 after contracting Covid-19.
Egerton won seven England caps and represented the British and Irish Lions against France in 1989. He went into hospital on Saturday with the virus.
He made 163 appearances during a decade with Bath, with the club releasing a statement on Twitter that said: ‘We are all deeply shocked and incredibly sad to learn that club legend, Dave Egerton, has passed away.
Ex-Bath and England number eight Dave Egerton has died at 59 after contracting Covid-19
It is with great sadness we have learnt of the passing of former Bath Rugby number eight David Egerton.
Dave, who won 7 caps for England, was a valued member of our commentary team at BBC Radio Bristol.
We are all thinking of his family and friends at this extremely sad time. pic.twitter.com/9zDDQLywmy
— BBC Bristol sport (@bbcbristolsport) February 8, 2021
‘A wonderful gentleman and talented player, taken from us far too soon. Our thoughts and love go out to his family and friends. #bathfamily’
Egerton’s time at The Rec coincided with a period of sustained success under Jack Rowell, with Bath winning five league titles and five domestic cups. Egerton’s league titles were won in 1988-89, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, and 1993-94.
He spoke modestly of his involvement in that trophy-laden era at the club. In an interview for Bath’s 150th anniversary, Egerton said: ‘Rugby is a team sport, a collective sport. There is no one person who could have done it on their own.
‘I think that every single player who played during that era was a special player, just to be able to get in the team in the first place.
‘The old adage was, it’s not good enough to just be in the team, you’ve got to make a difference when you’re in there.’
Egerton in action for Bath in 1990 – he won five league titles for the club in his playing days
And his performances for Bath saw Egerton win seven caps as an England international
Egerton played for the British and Irish Lions in 1989 in a win against France and they paid tribute to him on social media upon the news of his passing, saying: ‘We are all saddened to hear of the death of Dave Egerton. RIP Lion #637’.
Egerton also worked as part of the commentary team at BBC Radio Bristol in more recent years.
Former England player Brian Moore said on Twitter: ‘This is terrible, terrible news. Dave Egerton was a contemporary of mine as a student and in the England team.
‘He was an intelligent, amusing guy and a very good player. RIP Dave – you will be missed and all my thoughts are with your family.’
Andrew Sheridan said: ‘In a state of shock and sadness this evening at the news of Dave Egerton’s passing from Covid. A genuine Bath rugby legend, a cornerstone of the pack in the glory days. A school pal and in recent years a regular travelling companion as we covered Bath.’
Former Bath team-mate Chris Lilley told BBC Radio Wiltshire: ‘Dave could carry the ball, he could win the ball, he gave a great balance to the back row. He was a superb player.
‘He was one of the fittest players I ever played with and a big part of the Bath family, which was a big thing back in the 80s, 90s, when Dave played. We were a close-knit team.’