Eddie Butler, a former Wales rugby union captain and legendary commentator, passed away at the age of 65.
During his time with Wales, he captained the side on six occasions and scored two tries.
The British and Irish Lions traveled to New Zealand in 1983.
He became a respected rugby commentator after retiring.
He died on the trek.
He was the captain of the Pontypool side that dominated Welsh club rugby in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
While studying at Fitzwilliam College, he played for Cambridge University.
Wales defeated France 18-9 in the Five Nations in 1980.
After retiring from international rugby in 1985 at the age of 27, he joined Radio Wales as a press and publicity officer.
He worked for a property development company while still playing for Pontypool.
After starting his newspaper journalism career with the Sunday Correspondent in 1988, he went on to work for Observer and the Guardian before returning to the BBC in 1990.
The current Director-General of the BBC paid tribute to a wonderful wordsmith.
The people at BBC Sport are shocked and sad by the news. Eddie was a brilliant commentator, writer and reporter who loved the game of rugby union.
He gave the definitive soundtrack to some of the greatest moments in rugby's history. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
"He was a mainstay in press boxes around the world after he retired from the game and has been prolific in the way in which he has served Welsh rugby in both the written and spoken word over decades."
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.
The game in Wales owes him a debt of thanks for his contributions both on and off the pitch.
Bill McLaren was one of the great commentators.
Former England hooker Brian Moore and ex-Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies formed a partnership with the likes of butler and McLaren on the rugby commentary team.
The last one marking the death of Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered by the man who wrote it.
He made his voice heard on the highlights programmes of the NFL and the Olympics.
A group of former Wales captains climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa in 2010 to raise money for a cancer treatment center.
Wales and the History of the World, Hidden Histories, Welsh Towns at War, and two series of Welsh Towns were all presented by butler.
Three novels and two non-fiction books were published by him.
In the past few years, he has been campaigning for Welsh independence.
Outside and inside rugby union paid respects to him.
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