Lawrence Dallaglio’s mother, Eileen, whom he described as the cornerstone of his life, died early yesterday morning after a long, brave battle against cancer. She was 70. “She showed a courage and determination that humbled and inspired me and showed an unflinching pride in our country which made me proud and will stay with me for ever,” Dallaglio said.

In a moving tribute to his mother, who passed away peacefully at Charing Cross Hospital in London, Dallaglio continued: “She was a true woman of substance in every sense, gutsy, formidable and feisty and knew everything about rugby and wasn’t afraid to challenge anyone. Most importantly to me and to my sister, she was a wonderful mother, friend and mentor to our children, an amazing grandmother. A lot of people will miss her. She leaves a big gap in all our lives.”

Mrs Dallaglio was an exceptional woman who endured tragedy, with the death of Francesca, her daughter, in 1989, and enjoyed triumph with the huge success of her son in rugby. She was a source of inspiration to all who met her, not least in the manner in which she dealt with the loss of Francesca, a student ballerina who drowned in the Marchioness riverboat tragedy 19 years ago at the age of 19. She was the youngest of the 51 people who lost their lives after the boat was hit by a dredger. Mrs Dallaglio played a leading role in the Marchioness Action Group that campaigned tirelessly and ultimately successfully for a public inquiry and legal reforms.

A strong patriot, Mrs Dallaglio, one of ten children from the East End of London, was a familiar sight at Twickenham dressed in the red of St George and at London Wasps clad in black and gold in support of her son, the former England No 8 and captain. She and Vincenzo, her husband, who arrived in Britain from Italy in 1968, were in Sydney to watch England win the 2003 World Cup.

One of her last acts was to go to Windsor Castle recently with her husband when Lawrence was appointed OBE. On Wednesday he became a director of Wasps on a new-look board. Among those who visited Mrs Dallaglio in hospital was Prince Harry, who attended Dallaglio’s last professional game, the Guinness Premiership final against Leicester in May. He bowed out in style as Wasps were crowned champions of England.

Dallaglio thanked staff at the hospital. “I would like to pay special mention to the amazing doctors and nurses who helped make my mother’s last days so comfortable,” he said.