Former England rugby player Stephen Holgate dies aged 49

Rest in peace, Stephen Holgate

Former England rugby league forward Stephen Holgate has died, aged 49. Holgate played for Wigan Warriors, Hull FC and Workington Town during his career, as well as the England national team.  He joined Workington in July 1994 and played in their 1996 Super League campaign, before making the move to Wigan. Holgate also played at second-row for Wigan Warriors in their 1998 Super League Grand Final victory over Leeds Rhinos. The Hensingham amateur, from Cumbria, featured in the top flight for Hull and Halifax. In 2001, Holgate helped Widnes win the Northern Ford Premiership Grand Final.

A number of clubs have released statements following the news of his passing, with Warrington Town posting on Twitter: "It’s with great sadness that we learn of the passing of ex player Stephen Holgate. An extraordinarily talented player who we are privileged to say graced Derwent Park. Rest in Peace marra."

https://twitter.com/WorkingtonTown/status/1460841697680805889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1460841697680805889%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fsport%2Frugby-league%2F59292026

Wigan Warriors also took to Twitter to send its condolences, stating: "Wigan Warriors are deeply saddened to hear of the news that Stephen Holgate has died, aged 49. Holgate played 22 games for Wigan in 1998, including the Super League Grand Final. We send our deepest condolences to Stephen’s family and friends at this awful time."

https://twitter.com/WiganWarriorsRL/status/1460906983956099074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1460906983956099074%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fsport%2Frugby-league%2F59292026

Another one of Holgate's former clubs, Hull FC, tweeted: "Hull FC are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player, Stephen Holgate. Having won the 1998 Grand Final with Wigan, the England international represented FC during the following campaign in 1999. The club sends their condolences to Stephen's family and friends."

https://twitter.com/hullfcofficial/status/1460913646905827329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1460913646905827329%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fsport%2Frugby-league%2F59292026