Bredbury Hall death: Man found dead was Welsh rugby player Austen Howells ...

A man found dead at Bredbury Hall country park hotel was a rugby player on a stag weekend with pals, it has emerged.

The body of father-of-two Austen Howells, 40, was discovered in his room at Bredbury Hall in Stockport on Saturday.

Mr Howells, was visiting the retreat, set in seven acres of the Goyt Valley with a group of teammates.

Police were called to the hotel at around 3:30pm and found Mr Howells in one of the hotel’s 150 rooms.

They are now investigating the death and trying to determine if it was linked to drink or drugs.

Tributes have poured in for Mr Howells, from St Brides Major, in South Wales, and who was a coach at his home town rugby club Maesteg RFC, who he previously played for.

Club spokesman Dennis Thomas said: “He was on a stag weekend in Manchester with a group of players.

“It was a shock to everyone connected with the club.

“He was a great talented player and a very talented backs coach.

“We were looking forward to him working with our team and head coach.”

Mr Howells also played for Cwmafan RFC, who tweeted: “Would like to give our condolence to the family of our former player Austen Howells who has sadly passed away.”

Derwyn Jones tweeted: “Dreadful news regarding the passing of Austen Howells.

“A good rugby man and a proud father of two wonderful boys.

“Thoughts are with Alex and the family.”

Paul Jarvis also said: “Still rocked by the news of Austen Howells death, some good times with him back in the Scorpion 7s days, top bloke.”

Morgan Stoddart tweeted that he was shocked and devastated by the news.

“A crazy man with a heart of gold. You’ll be sorely missed mate. #RipAusten,” he tweeted.

Marcus Copeland said his death was a huge loss to the Welsh Rugby Union saying: “Extremely sad to hear of the tragic death of Austen Howells.”

Police say there are “no suspicious circumstances” surrounding the death and confirmed that a drugs overdose was one line of inquiry.

A GMP spokeswoman said: “Officers attended and discovered the body of a man in his 40s.

“Police are working to establish how the man died but at this stage, do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances.”

Article source: http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/11243296.CHRIS_KIRWAN__Apathy_a_danger_in_Welsh_rugby_rumpus/

Bredbury Hall death: Man found dead was Welsh rugby player Austen Howells ...