A FORMER Pontypool rugby star was found dead in his Singapore apartment.

Wayne Williams played prop for Pontypool RFC in the late 1990s and scored the winning try against UWIC to save Pooler from relegation. Mr Williams, 28, had been working as an engineer on oil tankers in Singapore since 2001. He was found dead last Thursday.

His family believes he took his own life.

Mr Williams, who went to Cardiff University, played in the same squad as legends David Bishop and Phil Ford.

Another former clubmate Matthew Silva, paid tribute to his friend. He said: "He was a tough front-row forward and was very much admired up at Pontypool. He will be greatly missed."

Mr Silva said Pontypool was very close to Mr Williams' heart and he remained good friends with many of his former team mates.

"He had a nice apartment and a very good job. He had the world at his feet," said Mr Silva of Llantwit Major in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Mr Williams' heartbroken father, Huw, also of Llantwit Major said: "He took his own life in tragic circumstances.

"Pooler was everything to him and he had lots of friends up there. "We were very proud of him and we're all going to miss him terribly."

A Foreign Office spokesman said the cause of Mr Williams' death was as yet unknown and said the Singapore authorities were investigating.

He said Mr Williams' employers SBM Asia Services, informed the British High Commission.

Mr Williams, who was single, leaves his father, mother Sue, and younger brother Jason, 24.

Pontypool RFC company secretary Arthur Crane said the club was "deeply saddened by the death of Mr Williams, who joined Pontypool in the 1990s and put in 65 appearances for the club, including 26 in his 1998/99 season.

"Obviously we held him in high regard as a player and I shall be asking the club to hold a minute's silence before the game against Neath."