Sale mourn loss of former forward David Tait

David Tait: The forward was described as 'an absolute legend of a bloke' by Danny Care (Getty Images)

Rugby players, coaches and administrators were today mourning the loss of David Tait, the former Sale forward and Scotland seven-a-side international who fell to his death from an apartment block in Hong Kong. He was 25.

Tait had retired from professional rugby after suffering a series of injuries, but was still playing for – and captaining – the Kowloon club after moving east to start a career in corporate finance with KPMG. A number of internationals, including England scrum-half Danny Care and Sale outside-half Danny Cipriani, expressed their feelings on social media. "Couldn't believe the news," Care said, describing Tait as "a good friend and an absolute legend of a bloke".

Damian Hopley, chief executive of the Rugby Players' Association, said his organisation would do everything in its power to support Tait's family and friends. "He wasn't simply a talented player, he was also extremely bright and successful outside rugby," he said.

Sale were rocked to their core: the club's wing Selorm Kuadey, a contemporary of Tait's, died earlier this year and was reported to have taken his own life.