A MINUTE’S silence will be held at a county rugby match today to remember two young players.

Durham County Rugby Club are paying tributes to players Thomas Howard, 25, and Tom Baty, 26, who died during a tour in Sri Lanka with team Clems Pirates.

The minute’s silence will be held before the 2.30pm start of Durham’s match against Leicestershire, in the Bill Beaumont Championship, which is being played at Billingham RUFC.

Mr Baty had played for the senior county team while Mr Howard had been part of Durham’s under 20s team.

Both men are from Durham and were part of Durham City Rugby Club.

Fergus King, an honorary life member of the club, said: “It’s been a bad week for everyone at the club.”

The men were taken to hospital in Colombo on Sunday after they started suffering from breathing problems.

Mr Howard died on Sunday while Mr Baty died on Tuesday.

Friends and supporters have raised more than £3,000 to support their families.