Former England skipper Perry dies
Perry won 15 caps between 1963 and 1966 and guided England to a 9-6 win over France – the only defeat the French suffered in the 1965 season – although they finished fourth in the championship.
English rugby's governing body, the Rugby Football Union, said it was "saddened" by the news while Perry received a warm tribute from former RFU President Malcolm Phillips.
"David was just starting his England career as I was finishing mine," Phillips told the RFU website.
"We were fortunate to go on the very first England overseas rugby tour in 1963 to New Zealand. We played three Test matches [two against the All Blacks and one against Australia] in 10 days and lost them all.
"We had some memorable moments – such as playing Australia on the return journey at the Sydney Cricket Ground during a tropical storm in four inches of standing water.
"The score [18-9 to the Wallabies] was irrelevant."
Perry, who played 13 Tests at No.8 and two at lock, played over 100 club matches for Bedford, scoring 115 points before becoming a successful businessman.
Agence France-Presse
