HEREFORD Rugby Club have paid tribute to a former coach who died suddenly, aged 48.

Martin Roberts hooked up with Wyeside in 2011 as backs coach when Hereford were in National 3 Midlands and played centre for Gloucester.

"Martin was a former player at Gloucester and brought his experience of their coaching methods to enhance the Hereford coaching team for a season," said Mark Harris, who has head coach at Hereford during the time Roberts was there.

"He was a great guy, well respected and liked by the players.

"It is a sad loss."

Gloucester-born Roberts, who could also play at full-back, started his career with Cheltenham and joined the Cherry and Whites for the 1989/90 seaswon.

He made his top-flight debut the following season and went on to make 47 league starts for Gloucester.

Roberts, who also played for Cinderford and coached Chosen Hill, also starred for Gloucester in a final-day relegation decider against Saracens in 1996.

Gloucester won the match 17-10 to avoid the drop.