Rugby player Archie Bruce, 20, is found dead in his hotel room just hours after making his debut for under-strength professional team that was hammered 46-0
- Rugby league player Archie Bruce played for West Yorkshire club Batley Bulldogs
- The scrum-half made his debut last night in a 46-0 loss against Toulouse
- Club chairman Kevin Nicholas has released a statement this morning
A 20-year-old rugby league player has been found dead in his hotel bedroom.
Batley Bulldogs scrum-half Archie Bruce only made his debut for the West Yorkshire club last night against Toulouse.
The team lost 46-0 and it is understood they stayed in the French city overnight for the Betfred Championship match.
Batley Bulldogs scrum-half Archie Bruce has been found dead only hours after making his debut
Earlier in the week, the head coach said a number of youngsters would be needed for the game because of senior absences.
The young scrum half, believed to be from Heckmondwike, in West Yorkshire, had been signed from local amateur side Dewsbury Moor ahead of the trip to France.
Club chairman Kevin Nicholas said in a statement this morning: ‘Batley Bulldogs are greatly saddened to announce the passing of their player Archie Bruce who was found in his hotel bedroom early this morning having made his debut against Toulouse the previous evening.’
A statement by Batley Bulldogs this morning said: ‘We are devastated to announce the passing of our young player Archie Bruce (20), who was found in his hotel bedroom early this morning, having made his debut against Toulouse yesterday evening.
‘Archie’s immediate family have been informed.
‘Batley Bulldogs, the RFL and the RFL Benevolent Fund will be supporting the family while enquiries by the French authorities continue, with the club squad delaying their return to the UK.
The rugby league star played in a 46-0 loss to Toulouse in a Championship game and the club stayed in the French city overnight
The West Yorkshire club announced the tragedy this morning and said they are ‘devastated’
‘The Bruce family have requested privacy during this most difficult of times.’
In midweek, Batley head coach Matt Diskin said, according to The Mirror: ‘We’ve got lads who’ve got wives who are due to give birth in the next week or two who can’t travel and a couple more who couldn’t get leave from work.
‘We are a bit short on numbers, but it gives an opportunity to a couple of fringe players and also a couple of amateur lads we’ve signed – George Senior from Dewsbury Celtic and Archie Bruce from Dewsbury Moor – who will make their debut.
‘It will be a bit of a baptism of fire, coming up against one of the best teams in the league, but it will give them a good measure of where they need to be in pre-season to kick on and develop with us again next year.’
England professional Alex Walmsley led the tributes, saying: ‘Incredibly sad news to wake up to, my condolences go out to his family, friends and teammates at both Batley and Dewsbury Moor. RIP Archie.’
Former Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain star Keith Senior tweeted: ‘Never nice to hear news like this especially at such a young age. Condolences to all his family and friends.’
England winger Jermaine McGilvary said: ‘Such shocking news. RIP Archie, thoughts go out to his family.’
Gavin Wilson tweeted: ‘Desperately sad news coming out of @BatleyRLFC this morning. Condolences to everyone at the club and friends & family of Archie Bruce. Just 20 years old and his first ever game. So, so sad.’