Scots teams pay tribute to tragic rugby star Nevin Spence

SCOTLAND’S two professional rugby teams have paid tribute to Ulster centre who died along with his brother and father in a horrific accident on their farm in County Down.

Spence, who was 22, was killed when he fell into a slurry tank on Saturday.

In a statement yesterday, Edinburgh Rugby said: “It is with great sadness that Edinburgh Rugby learned of the tragic passing of Nevin Spence, his father Noel and brother Graham on Saturday evening.

“Nevin was an impressive young athlete who represented his home province with distinction and was capped for Ireland U20 and Ireland Wolfhounds.

“He featured on a number of age-grade opposition sides to many Edinburgh players and was held in very high regard both as a competitor and popular player off the pitch. Our thoughts are with the Spence family and our colleagues in rugby at Ulster at this sad time.”

Spence, who last year was voted Young Player of the Year at the Irish Rugby Football Union Players’ Association Awards, played 42 times for 
Ulster and was capped twice at Ireland A level.

He was called up to train with Ireland’s Six Nations squad last year and was a member of the Ulster Rugby squad which reached the Heineken Cup final last season.

In their statement, Glasgow Warriors said Spence had “an extremely bright future in the game”.

They said: “Glasgow Warriors are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of Ulster Rugby player Nevin Spence. Our thoughts and best wishes are with his family and friends, as well as all our colleagues at Ulster Rugby at this awful time. Nevin was a gifted young professional rugby player with an extremely bright future in the game.”

His last game was on Friday afternoon when he played for Ulster Ravens against Munster A.