Brittle, who was RFU chairman from 1996-8, died on the Isle of Man on September 11 and he leaves a brother, Robert, and sister, Gillian.

Born Benjamin Clifford Brittle, he played centre for Stoke on Trent and Sale as well as representing Staffordshire who he went on to coach, becoming their RFU committee member in 1989.

With his brother Robert, Brittle ran Bryrob, a Stoke-on-Trent-based plant hire group serving the construction industry until it was sold in 1987 and he moved to the Isle of Man.

The former England and British Lions prop Fran Cotton said: "Cliff had rugby close to his heart and cared deeply about the game at every level.

"He was impatient to secure the best for English rugby and all involved in it at the very difficult time when the game went professional.

I am sure many of us will remember him as a visionary and as a true friend."

The funeral will take place at 2pm on Friday, September 23rd at Douglas Borough Crematorium, with donations for the Isle of Man Hospice.

There will be a memorial service in England at a later date to be confirmed.