EIGHT hundred people gathered in St Mary’s Priory Church in Abergavenny yesterday to pay tribute to a rugby player who died suddenly after a rugby match aged 21.

More than 60 junior members of Abergavenny Rugby Football Club, wearing the club’s black polo shirts and arm bands, lined the aisle as the coffin of their team-mate Lewis Smith, draped in a Welsh flag, was carried through the church.

During the service the Reverend Canon Jeremy Winston paid tribute to a “gentle giant” who was a popular and much-loved person.

Phil Hoskins, who met the former King Henry VIII Comprehensive pupil through a community task force programme, led the tributes by praising Lewis for his dedication in working with adults with learning disabilities.

Mr Hoskins said Lewis was a “unique individual” who touched the lives of everyone and loved his family “beyond words.”

He said Lewis, who began playing rugby aged eight, was an ambassador for the sport and was one of life’s great characters.

"He was not only head and shoulders above because of his stature but because of his character and disposition," said Mr Hoskins.

"He was a great teammate to have alongside you," he added.

Mr Hoskins said Lewis had recently been accepted to join Gwent Police, which was his ambition.

Huw Beavan, vice chairman of Abergavenny RFC said the club has lost a wonderful, loyal, true and committed player, known as ‘Big Lew’ to friends.

"He has left a huge void in the club and our lives," he added.

Among the mourners, who all wore amber and scarlet ribbons, were his parents Ricky and Karina, family, players, friends and representatives from national rugby, including the President of the Welsh Rugby Union, Dennis Gethin, Ken Hewitt, a former chairman of Abergavenny RFC, the club’s president Alun Griffith and patron Keith Price.

During the service mourners heard a reading by Abergavenny RFC committee member Peter Evans and sang the hymns ‘Calon Lan’, ‘All Through The Night’ and ‘Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer’.

A local choir Synergy performed an emotive rendition of ‘In My Life’ by Lennon and McCartney , followed by ‘Sweet Hour Of Prayer’ by Williams Walford.

Mr Smith died of natural causes after playing for the 2nd XV The Quins away to Gwernyfed RFC, near Brecon on January 15.

The service was followed by a burial at Llanfoist Cemetery.