The wife of Norfolk rugby star Tom Youngs has been given the fantastic news that her illness is now 'in remission', 12 months on from being given a terminal cancer diagnosis.

The rugby world rallied around the Youngs family after it emerged that Tiffany's three-year battle with cancer was expected to be terminal.

At the time the Leicester Tigers captain's younger brother, Ben, had decided to pull out of the British and Irish Lions' approaching tour of New Zealand to support his family.

However, today the Aviva Premiership club have confirmed that specialists have now judged Mrs Youngs' illness to be in remission and the couple – who have a young daughter – have thanked their many well-wishers from inside and outside of the game.

'It's unbelievably good news compared with where we were this time last year,' said former Gresham's School pupil and Holt RFC junior Tom, who grew up near Aylsham.

'We would like to thank everyone for their support during the last year. It has been absolutely phenomenal.

'At the Tigers, from chairman Peter Tom right through the club, everyone has been superb with us. And outside the club too, everybody has tried to help in their own way.

'It has definitely been a great support knowing so many people have been there for us.'

Tigers confirmed that Mrs Youngs had 'continued with a course of alternative treatments and diet changes' as she battled through the illness.

'We've been overwhelmed by the support and the kind gestures from everywhere,' she said, speaking to Tigers' official website.

'Our families and close friends have been at the centre of that, but also the messages and support from all around rugby have been huge – and not just from when we first told everyone last year, it has gone on all the time. Everyone has been so kind.

'To now be in remission is brilliant news and now we're just looking forward again.'

Tom, 31, continued to play for Leicester this season but has not been involved with England since the 2015 World Cup on home soil, when he won the last of his 28 caps.

The hooker and his brother, scrum-half Ben, both helped the Lions triumph in Australia in 2013. Ben, 28, and capped 74 times by England, was then due to tour New Zealand with the Lions last summer but opted to stay home with his family.

MORE: Leicester Tigers star Ben Youngs speaks of his admiration for older brother Tom's strength of character

After recently overcoming a knee injury which saw him miss most of the Six Nations, Ben is now preparing to tour South Africa with England and his older brother thanked the Lions and England for their support.

'We are a very close family and the Lions were very understanding when Ben made his decision last summer,' Tom added.

'We wish him and all of the England squad all the very best in a big series in South Africa next month.'