The friends and teammates of Elli Norkett have paid her an emotional tribute in a match dedicated to the memory of the Wales international.
Cardiff Met University players and supporters joined to honour Elli before their match against Loughborough University at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday night.
The 20-year-old student – the youngest player to represent Wales at a World Cup – died in a two-car collision between Banwen and Glynneath last weekend.
Failing to fight back tears, the Met players laid down two of Elli’s jerseys, bearing the numbers 12 and 14.
Watched by thousands, the poignant tribute preceded the team’s match, a quarter final of the British Universities and Colleges cup.
There was a minute’s applause ahead of the kick-off before Elli’s jersey was placed on the halfway line where each player in her former squad placed a rose on it.
Her team said the jersey will be retired for the rest of the season in her memory.
Dean of the university’s Cardiff School of Sport, Prof Richard Tong, said the players were determined to take to the pitch in memory of their teammate.
“The players were absolutely sure about playing tonight – they wanted to play,” he said.
“We spoke to the family and the family were very keen for the opportunity to play – everybody to express the feelings they had for Elli.”
The Wales national women’s rugby manager Caroline Spanton added: “We’ll remember her with huge positivity.
“The energy was infectious from Elli, wherever she was with us… she’d bounce in and she’d be keen to get stuck in.”
There was also a one minute’s silence ahead of Friday evening’s Guinness Pro 12 match between Edinburgh and the Ospreys.
Elli had played for the region’s women’s team and was a community coach for them.
