Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones and chief executive Stuart Gallacher have paid tribute to club president Ray Gravell following his death aged 56.

The former Llanelli, Wales and British and Irish Lions centre died from a suspected heart attack. He had been on holiday with his family in Mallorca.

Wales fly-half Jones, speaking for the current Scarlets side, said: "Grav was a great man. No-one ever had a bad word to say about Grav, and he never said a bad word about anyone. He was simply an outstanding person and a great Scarlet."

Gallacher added: "It is with great sadness that we have received the news of the sudden passing away of Ray Gravell," said Gallacher.

"He was of course a huge figure not only in Llanelli but throughout Wales and where ever rugby football was played.

"He was quite simply a unique person. Following the recent passing away of Sir Tasker Watkins, Welsh rugby has lost another great Welshman.

"Our thoughts are with wife Mari and children Manon and Gwenan at this sad time. He will be missed but not forgotten."

Gravell's Llanelli career spanned 15 years between 1970 and 1985 where he created a post war record of 485 appearances.

He won 23 Welsh caps between 1975-82 and was part of two Grand Slam winning teams and also played four Tests during the British Lions tour of South Africa in 1980.

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