Tributes to ex-Bristol Rugby captain Matt Salter

Tributes have been paid to the former captain of Bristol Rugby, Matt Salter, who has died aged 49.

Salter had two spells with the club and captained them between 2004 and 2008, and was named in the Guinness Premiership Dream Team in 2006.

Salter moved to coaching after his retirement from the professional game and took roles at both Clifton RFC and as Director of Rugby at Clifton College. No details of his death have been released.

In a tribute posted on their website, Clifton Rugby said "as a player, captain and coach, he [Salter] inspired countless teammates, players and students, and his passion for rugby and for helping others develop through the game was clear to all who worked with him".

"Matt will be greatly missed across the Clifton and wider Bristol rugby community," Clifton Rugby added.

"An outstanding leader for Bristol, he captained the club for four seasons and he led from the front, without any question at all," said Bristol Bears and rugby historian, Mark Hoskins.

"I have one memory of a game in Gloucester, where Bristol hadn't won for about 12 years, where quite near the end he had to leave the field because his face was covered in blood.

"But a few minutes later he was back on because another player was injured, he was that sort of player, he gave absolutely 100% for his team and a great, great leader," he added.

"He was just a top guy, all around rugby and around Bristol," said former teammate Darren Crompton.

"He did his talking on the field, he was the captain of the club and inspired a load of people around Bristol," he said.

"To give so much and be a massive part of everything, he is going to leave a massive void for people."

Bristol Bears, formerly Bristol Rugby, said in a statement on social media that the club was "deeply saddened to hear of the passing of legendary former captain, Matt Salter".

"Our thoughts are with his friends, family and everyone at Clifton Rugby."

Salter also had a season with Leeds Tykes in between his spells with Bristol.

In a statement on social media, the club said that "everyone at Leeds Tykes is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Matt Salter", and also expressed condolences to his loved ones.

James Phillips was captained by Salter at Bristol and is now the forwards coach at Leeds Tykes. He said he was "devastated" to hear of Salter's passing.

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