• Wife of Youngs’ team-mate and brother Tom diagnosed with terminal cancer • Scotland’s Greig Laidlaw called up to replace scrum-half for New Zealand trip

Devastating family news has led the Leicester scrum-half Ben Youngs to withdraw from next month’s British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand. The England international made the decision after it was discovered that the wife of his brother and team-mate, Tom, has terminal cancer.

“We are a very close family and, as I am sure everyone can respect, time is now precious together,” said Ben in a statement issued by the Tigers after the club secured a Premiership play-off spot with a 28-23 victory at Worcester. “The most important thing for me at this difficult time is to be able to offer as much support as I can to Tom and his family in the remaining time we all have together.

“It is a great honour to be selected as a member of the British & Irish Lions squad and I would like to thank Warren Gatland, the staff and the other players for their understanding in this situation. I wish them well and, like all rugby supporters in Britain and Ireland, hope they have a successful tour.”

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The Youngs brothers will continue to play for Leicester for the rest of the season, which means they will be available for the 20 May Premiership semi-final against Wasps at the Ricoh Arena.

Leicester said in the statement: “Both families hope their privacy can be respected at this difficult time. There will be no further comment from Tom, Ben or from Leicester Tigers at this point.”

Ben Youngs, a 2013 Lion in Australia, earned his call-up for Gatland’s squad after becoming a key player at No9 for Eddie Jones’ England as they embarked on a record-equalling 18-match unbeaten run. Gatland said: “We fully understand and respect Ben’s decision to stay at home. Family comes first. We send Ben, Tom and their family our heartfelt thoughts.”

Scotland’s Greig Laidlaw replaces Youngs in the 41-man squad, whose first warm-up match for the three-Test series is on 3 June.