AN inquest into the death of a rugby player was opened at Bradford Coroners' Court. 

Sam Walker, who played for Keighley RUFC, died on March 27.

The 34-year-old, who was from the town, rose up through the club’s junior ranks. He progressed to the 1st team between 2007 and 2017 and scored 43 tries in 127 appearances.

Mr Walker, who also worked as a gas fitter and a plumber, also played National League rugby for Huddersfield.

In the brief inquest opening, held on April 13, assistant coroner Angela Brocklehurst said that Mr Walker’s identity was confirmed by documentation found at a house on Woodside Drive in Cottingley.

A cause of death was not given in the hearing. 

Ms Brocklehurst requested a statement from Mr Walker’s family to be filed within 21 days, a statement from his medical practitioner within 21 days, a toxicology report within 21 days, mental health, drug and alcohol reports within 28 days and for the police to file an investigational report within 28 days.

The inquest file is scheduled to be reviewed for progress on June 27, with a proposed conclusion date of August 9, she added.

Keighley RUFC paid a touching tribute to Sam following his death. 

The club said he took some time away from rugby but returned in 2021 to take up the captaincy of the thirds, where he was said to have "inspired many players". 

Chairman Graeme Sheffield said Sam got his chance in the first team when he was around the age of 19/20 and “ran like the wind”.

He said: “Sam developed in the team quickly and soon became an integral part and was always one of the first names on the team sheet, scoring plenty of tries to boot.”

Mr Sheffield said that outside of rugby “Sam was an outstanding plumber/gas fitter who did work for several years for all my family”.

He added: “He was a conscientious operator and always put himself out to get the job done.”

Allan Hobson-Sheriff, head coach of the thirds, added: “When Sam returned to Keighley to play rugby a couple of seasons ago, he asked me if it would be ok to play for the thirds.

"Even though his skill set made him more than capable of playing for teams that were better than ours, he wanted to play for the thirds.

"He was humble with the team, as a player and always led by example. This earned Sam the captaincy of the thirds for the season.

“Sam will be sadly missed by all of his brothers in arms of the third team. RIP, Sam.”