Published Friday, 21 September 2012
Nevin Spence, pictured in February 2012, as Ulster''s clash against the Dragons (© Pacemaker)
Nevin died last Saturday along with his father Noel and brother Graham as they tried to rescue each other during a slurry tank accident on the family farm in Co Down.
A minute's silence for the 22-year-old will be observed before games in the Aviva Premiership and the RaboDirect PRO12 as the rugby world pays its respects.
"I am sure you all, like me, would like to offer our sincere condolences to the Spence family after the tragic accident last weekend," said Nigel Davies of Gloucester Rugby, which will fall quiet before kick-off against the London Wasps in its fixture at Kingsholm this Saturday.
"There are no words to that can truly convey the sadness of their loss, but our thoughts are with them and with Ulster Rugby as we pay our respects through a minute's silence before the game - something which puts all we do into real perspective."
After the devastating events of last weekend, it is entirely appropriate that the whole of the rugby world remembers Nevin and his family this weekend.
Phil Winstanley, Premiership Rugby
"In times like these rugby as a sport pulls together, and Premiership Rugby and all the Aviva Premiership clubs want to remember Nevin and show support for his family and for Ulster Rugby at this extremely difficult time," Phil Winstanley said.
Nevin Spence was a much loved member of the Ulster squad and a rising star of Irish rugby, who had been tipped for international success.
Teammates helped carry his shirt-draped coffin into and out of Ballynahinch Baptist Church during his funeral on Wednesday afternoon.
A special memorial service will be held at Ravenhill from 3pm on Sunday to give local supporters a final chance to pay their respects to Nevin.
The club said it spoke to the family and felt it would be an "appropriate" opportunity to offer the wider community in Ulster an opportunity to celebrate the player's life.
Thousands of supporters have already left floral tributes, letters and flags at the rugby grounds for Nevin, while the book of condolences which was opened earlier this week will be available until Sunday, before being sent on to the Spence family.