East London Rugby Club has offered its condolences to the family and friends of former England prop Paul Rendall who has died aged 69 following a battle with motor neurone disease.

Paul was a friend of the club in Memorial Park, West Ham, and supported fundraising activities. He was a popular visitor when the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour came to the club in 2015. He also presented club officials Simon Crick and Deborah Bird with the shield for winning the Essex League 1 title in 2016.

Nicknamed ‘The Judge’ because of his role as fines master when on tour, the loose head prop came to international rugby late after making his debut against Wales as a 30-year-old. He won 28 caps in a Test career lasting from 1984 to 1991. He was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year.

East London RFC President Nick Bracken OBE said: “We offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to Paul’s family and friends. The Judge was a good friend to the club and kept in touch with how we were doing. He was a tough competitor on the pitch and a lovely man off it. The game of rugby is sadder for his loss.”