AROUND 800 people paid their respects at the funeral of the 21 year old Abergavenny rugby player who collapsed and died after playing for his club against Gwernyfed.

The love which they felt for Lewis James Smith emanated throughout the beautiful St Mary's Church as Canon Jeremy Winston conducted a moving and poignant service to celebrate the remarkable young man's life.

Tragically he was about to start his career with Gwent Police after passing the entrance tests when his unexpected death from a heart attack happened as he left the field.

As his coffin was carried into church by his friends from Abergavenny Rugby Club, followed by his parents Ricky and Karina and their family, 60 young members of the rugby club, all wearing their club's black polo shirts, lined the aisle in tribute.

Mourners were handed ribbons in the club colours of claret and amber as they entered the church as a tribute to the impact he had on everyone connected with the rugby club.

Many club members also wore black armbands bearing Lewis' name and the date of his death.

Among the mourners were Dennis Gethin, president of the Welsh Rugby Union, vice chairman Ken Hewitt and board member Mal Beynon, Abergavenny RFC president Alun Griffiths and patron Keith Price, as well as representatives from Gwernyfed Rugby Club.

Welcoming everyone, Father Jeremy spoke of the deep affection for Lewis which his friends had conveyed to his parents for whom his loss had been inestimable.

He said they wanted him to thank everyone and tell them that their presence, support and love had helped them tremendously through the most terrible experience of their lives. They had received hundreds of cards, flowers and messages.

Many of the mourners at the funeral could not hold back their tears when they read the order of service, with a huge picture of Lewis on the front and an inspirational piece that he loved to quote on the back.

Peter Evans, a member of the RFC committee read two passages from the Bible and Peter Hoskins and Huw Beavan followed with their appreciation of Lewis' life and his achievements in such a short space of time.

Peter Hoskins recalled that he met Lewis last July on the Community Task Force programme and said it was difficult to find the words to measure the impact he had on so many lives.

"He was one of life's good people, an ambassador for good, not only head and shoulders above others because of his stature' but also in character and disposition.

"He helped with the Greenfingers gardening project, working with adults with disabilities and this gentle giant impressed everyone with his passion, focus and compassion.

"He was always joyous, always determined to do his best and just a lovely person and a lover of people.

"His parents said his two favourite things in life were rugby and Christmas. They were so proud of the fact that he had passed to join Gwent Police."

Mr Hoskins spoke of the comradeship Lewis shared with his dad and his devotion to his mum. "She told me that if she was down and depressed when Lewis came home he'd strip to his boxer shorts and do his version of the River Dance," which brought laughter from the mourners.

Huw Beavan, vice chairman of Abergavenny RFC said Lewis joined the club when he was eight and soon acquired the nickname Curly because he was said to be like Curly Watts of Coronation Street fame.

"He was a 6ft 5ins 20 stone ball-carrying forward and when he played his dad Ricky was always there on the line.

"Lewis was one of life's great characters whose death has left a huge hole in the club which will be impossible to fill."

The hymns chosen by Lewis' family were fitting - Calon Lan, All Through the Night and Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer.

The male voice choir Synergy, which practises at the rugby club where one of the founder members Jim Aitken is a committee member, then sang In My Life by Lennon and McCartney, followed by Sweet Hour of Prayer by William Walford.

They were conducted by Andrew Walker.

As the coffin, draped in the Welsh flag, left the church the Welsh national anthem was played.

All the mourners watched in silence as Lewis' coffin made the final journey to his resting place in Llanfoist cemetery.