UK Armed Forces rugby player who died in France named

The member of the UK Armed Forces (UKAF) rugby union squad who died in France has been named as Able Seaman Steffan Rees of Aberystwyth.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "Our thoughts and sympathy are with their family and friends and their next of kin have been informed. As we assist with the French authorities in their investigations we are unable to comment further."

AB Rees had been representing the UKAF rugby union side in the International Defence Rugby Competition, known as the Forces Rugby World Cup, which is being held in venues across Brittany in northwest France.

It has been confirmed the UKAF's scheduled fixture against Fiji in the semi-final on Sunday will go ahead as planned.

A statement released today from the organisers of World Defence Rugby 2023 said: "The organisers of the 2023 international defence rugby competition, the Western Defence and Security Zone, the Centre National des Sports de la Defense and the Brittany Regional Rugby League, join with the UK Armed Forces in mourning the death of a member of their team during the competition earlier this week.

"The entire rugby and military sports community has come together to offer its more fraternal support to the family of the British serviceman, his loved ones and his team-mates.

"The British team has decided to continue the competition in tribute to his comrade. We would like to express our sympathy and solidarity to his teammates and wish them every success."