Former international Prout dies
July 22, 2005

The Rugby Football Union has announced the death of former England player Derek Henry Prout.

The former Cornwall and Northampton wing was twice capped by England during the 1968 Six Nations and played for the Barbarians on six occasions.

Derek made his England debut against Wales alongside former England captain and full back Bob Hiller, also gaining his first cap. The two went on to play together against Ireland.

Said Bob Hiller: "Derek was a wonderful man and a great character with limitless enthusiasm for the game. A big, strong, tough winger, he was also an excellent player and was unlucky to gain only two caps. I got to very know Derek well as a player and later as an enthusiastic member of the England Rugby Internationals Club who enjoyed watching England on many occasions over the years. Derek was a joy to be with and will be very sadly missed."

Born in Launceston, Derek represented Cornwall on 41 occasions between 1960 and 1969. As a schoolboy he played for Launceston and Redruth, represented England in 1961, before playing for Loughborough Colleges from 1962 to 1965. In 1967 Derek moved to Northampton where he stayed until 1971 gaining 61 appearances and scoring 32 tries. He spent a season with Harlequins in 1971/72 making eight appearances before joining Trojans where he gained over 100 first XV appearances as a player, captain and coach between 1972 and 1981. A former Vice President, he remained actively involved with the club and the Hampshire RFU, coaching the county team for four years in the early 1980s.

More latterly he was a member of the Student RFU committee holding various posts including that of selector for over a decade until his recent retirement.

A former schoolteacher and lecturer, Derek lived in Southampton with wife Sally.

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