TRIBUTES have been paid to former Worcester Warriors manager Alun Carter, who has died aged 59.

Mr Carter, who was team manager at the Warriors for five years, died while out on a walk, with his death announced on Sunday, August 4.

He is credited with becoming one of the most influential people in establishing performance analysis in rugby in Wales.

Mr Carter was appointed team manager of the Warriors in April 2008 and stayed there until May 2013.

He oversaw the club's promotion to the Premiership in 2010-11 following their relegation the previous season.

Born at St Joseph’s nursing home in Malpas in 1964, Alun Carter was adopted when he was 10 days old.

Carter spent the first seven years of his life in Wilhelmshaven, in northern Germany, where his father was teaching British Forces children, before spending another seven years in Staffordshire.

He enjoyed a 15-year senior career in Rugby, which spanned over 300 first-class games.

He also spent five years as a policeman on the beat in the Gwent force while he was playing for Newport.

After retiring in April 1999, he secured a first-class honours degree in Sport and Human Movement Studies as a mature student at South Glamorgan Institute.

It was during that time that he came under the wing of Dr Keith Lyons, who pioneered sports analysis at the Cyncoed establishment.

Mr Carter later acted as an analyst for the 1994 Football World Cup and the lead analyst for English Hockey from 1996 to 1998.

He later linked up with the Welsh Rugby Union, working alongside six Welsh national coaches as a lead analyst and joined the British and Irish Lions backroom staff for the 2001 tour to Australia.

The Welsh Rugby Union sent its sincere condolences to the friends and family of Alun Carter in a post on its website.

His former club, Pontypool RFC, said it was saddened to learn of his passing and sent its deepest sympathy to his family and close friends at this very sad and extremely difficult time.

And Rugby commentator Phil Steele said: "Alun was a fine player, pioneering rugby analyst, academic and gentleman.

"Alun was always stimulating and thoughtful company who gave so much to the game as a player, coach, and mentor."