Former Leicester Tigers player Garry Adey has died, aged 78.

Adey made his debut in a 14-6 victory over Loughborough Colleges in March 1967 and went on to make a total of 381 appearances for Leicester Tigers.

He scored 57 tries during a fourteen-year playing career and made his final appearance in 1981 against Gosforth at Twickenham.

Described as "industrious" on the field, Adey started in the club's three successive John Player Cup Final wins from 1979-1981.

He was capped twice by England, with both Test match appearances coming during the 1976 Five Nations.

Following his on-field career, Adey was a non-executive director of the club and held committee roles at Leicester Tigers - which included playing an active role in the redevelopment of the North Stand at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Speaking about Adey, Leicester Tigers Chairman Peter Tom CBE said: "Garry was a true giant of our great club, who contributed on and off the field in so many ways."

"His legacy as a player is not only the success that he had on the field but for the length of time that he did, amassing an incredible amount of appearances over fourteen years.

"The passion he had for Leicester Tigers continued after he stopped playing and never wavered; Garry not only wanted to see the club be successful but was always willing to contribute to it in any way that he could.

"I am deeply saddened to have lost both a great clubman and great friend and, on behalf of everybody at Leicester Tigers and our supporters, share our deepest condolences with Garry's family, friends and teammates at this time."

Leicester Tigers will pay tribute to the life of Garry Adey at the club's pre-season fixture against Nottingham Rugby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Friday, September 1.