BRADFORD Bulls and Keighley Cougars have held a minute's silence prior to their games today in tribute to a young Batley Bulldogs player who was found dead in his hotel room in France this morning.

The Bulldogs issued a statement this morning confirming the news the Betfred Championship scrum half Archie Bruce, 20, had died following his debut match against Toulouse yesterday evening.

A statement from Batley Bulldogs issued this morning by Chairman Kevin Nicholas read: "Batley Bulldogs are greatly saddened to announce the passing of their player Archie Bruce (20) who was found in his hotel bedroom early this morning having made his debut against Toulouse the previous evening.

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"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 Bruce family have requested privacy during this most difficult of times."

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.

Bruce had joined the Bulldogs from amateur club Dewsbury Moor and made his debut off the replacements bench in the 46-0 defeat to Toulouse.

Batley said Bruce had been training with them for the 2019 season with a view to the 2020 campaign, but was handed his first professional appearance against Toulouse by head coach Matt Diskin "due to his energy and enthusiasm".

The Bulldogs added that he "made a great impact with darting runs" when he came on for the last 30 minutes and "his excitement was clear for all to see post match".

They described Bruce as a "smart, polite, funny and extremely likeable young man" and called his death "an absolute tragedy".

The RFL Benevolent Fund has created a Just Giving Page in Bruce's name.

Dewsbury posted on their website: "Archie played rugby league at Dewsbury Moor since under 8s and at the age of 20 had been playing in the NCL open age team for a couple of years.

"Archie was also registered to play with Batley Bulldogs and as a club we are immensely proud that Archie made his debut for Batley Bulldogs last night in Toulouse.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Archie's family, team-mates and friends at this extremely sad time."

The RFL said a minute's silence would be observed before Sunday's Championship matches in Bruce's memory.

Bradford Bulls posted this morning on Twitter: "The thoughts of everyone at the Bradford Bulls are with @BatleyRLFC and the family and friends of Archie Bruce, who sadly passed away this morning."

Keighley Cougars also tweeted: "Our deepest condolences to everyone at @BatleyRLFC and Archie's family and friends. What tragic and heartbreaking news."

Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin added on Twitter: "This is terrible news. My thoughts are with Archie’s family and friends. Losing a child must be devastating and I can’t imagine what Archie’s family are going through. Let me know if there’s anything at all I can do."