CHEPSTOW Rugby Club is mourning the passing of team member Neil Allmark, who died last Friday (9th January).

Saturday games were cancelled at the club as a mark of respect, and members were instead present to pay their respects to the "great man" who had been a member of the firsts team for 10 years.

The 28-year-old known as Nelly, had suffered from a short illness and died unexpectedly on Friday, just hours after showing signs of

recovery.

He leaves behind his fiancée Melissa Arlett, and her son.

On Saturday around 200 people attended the club from both Chepstow and Caldicot, where Mr Allmark had grown up and played rugby as a youth. Many laid flowers around the pitch.

The news of the flanker's death sparked hundreds of online messages of respect and condolence from across the rugby community, leading to BBC2 Wales' Scrum V show mentioning the team and their loss on Saturday's show.

Chepstow Rugby Club posted its tribute online. A spokesperson said: "On behalf of the whole club we would like to express our deep deep sadness at the passing of Nelly; like many of you we are still shocked and can't quite believe this shattering news.

"Whatever our grief, we know it is nothing compared to the raw pain and loss that Melissa, Nicola, Nick and his family are feeling at this time and our prayers and thoughts are with them.

"Rugby is the best team sport in the world and is made great by people like Nellie. He fully embraced all aspects of the game – aggressive and hard on the park, a good mate in the clubhouse – the whole rugby community is poorer today having lost a genuine son of the game.

"As a club we commit to providing a lasting tribute to Nellie - a great player and an even greater man