A PROMISING rugby league player born in Heckmondwike who tragically died at the weekend has had an outpouring of sympathy from those that knew him and played against him.

Archie Bruce, 20, who lived in Liversedge and attended Spen Valley Sports College in the town, made his debut for Batley Bulldogs in their Betfred Championship clash at Toulouse on Saturday.

It was one of the proudest moments of the young scrum half's career, yet a weekend of celebration quickly turned into one of mourning as less than 24 hours after the game, Archie was found dead in his hotel room in France.

Most of Batley's players returned home yesterday, but a few are still in Toulouse, as are club officials, who are working with the French authorities as inquiries continue.

The club expressed their disbelief at rising star Archie's sudden passing.

Batley Bulldogs director John Miller said: "The lads are shell shocked and everybody is stunned.

"I've been at the club for 18 years, I have never seen anybody as happy to have played in a game.

"He was thanking everybody for giving him the chance to play and said he hoped he'd been good enough.

"He was very popular and well-loved in the local rugby community. He was always happy and smiling, it was infectious.

"He wasn't part of this year's squad, he was a trialist at the start of the year. The coaches recognised he was a talented player, but perhaps needed a bit of work.

"They decided it was a good time to give him a game against Toulouse and he came on for the last half hour and did not look out of place at all up against a very good team."

Derek Ventress, club chaplain at Batley Bulldogs, paid tribute, saying: “He had been training with the Bulldogs all season and working hard for his big moment.

“It's shocking that his first game will be his last.

“He used to work at the Wetherspoons near where I live and I would see him in there. He would pull me pints with a big smile on his face.

“He was a very sociable and popular young man. He was very respectful and worked hard and did not pretend to be something he was not.

“If I had a daughter, Archie is the sort of young man I would have loved to have had as a son-in-law."

T&A reporter David Jagger played against Archie earlier this season, when Archie was in action for Dewsbury Moor Maroons against Oulton Raiders in the National Conference League Division One.

He said: “Archie was the best player on the pitch that day, he tore us to pieces around the ruck and imposed himself in defence.

“Our club was shocked to hear the news on Sunday and we sent our condolences to Dewsbury Moor, Batley and his family.

“Archie had a bright future in the game and his death is terribly sad for all of rugby league."

Archie had been a trialist with the Bulldogs while playing for Dewsbury Moor, where he amassed 11 tries and was named man of the match in 11 of the 15 matches he played in.

A minute's silence was held in Archie's honour at all Betfred Super League, Women's Super League, Championship and League One games played yesterday afternoon.

Donations to Archie's family should be sent to the Rugby Football League Benevolent Fund through the Just Giving page:

justgiving.com/fundraising/archie-bruce-1

The Just Giving page states that the page has been set up to leave a lasting legacy in Archie's name and benefit charities and causes he and his family support.