Tributes made to killed rugby star

The team-mates of a young Midlands rugby player killed in a car crash have gathered together to remember him. Mitchell Todd, 21, has been described by his club Nottingham as "an exceptional talent".

He had signed a new contract in May and was expected to make a big impact during the 2012-2013 season.Todd, 21, died in the early hours of Wednesday morning after his car careered off the road and into a field in south Nottinghamshire.

Today, his fellow players met up at the team's training ground at LadyBay in Nottingham and stood in a huddle, sharing their thoughts.

Todd, who was born in Solihull and lived in Coventry, was a product of the Nottingham Academy and had performed well for the senior side during appearances in the British and Irish Cup last season.

He represented Scotland under 20's in last seasons' Six Nations and also featured in the Junior World Cup. The lock forward had just completed a degree in Sports Therapy at Coventry University.

Today, the rugby world has been paying tribute to Todd with messages posted on Twitter by some of the sport's best-known names. Nottingham Rugby's main sponsor, construction firm McCann's, also sent its condolences to the club and Todd's family. Andrew Kelsey, from the company.

Nottinghamshire Police are investigating the accident on Cotgrave Road near Normanton-on-the-Wolds. Todd was found inside a Citroen C3 and pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Road marks and debris suggest the car veered off the road, glanced against a tree and travelled for 200 yards across grass verges before veering back acrossthe road, through a hedge and into a field.

Residents living nearby say the road is notorious and has been the scene of fatal accidents before. The speed limit has been reduced to 40mph but Sheila Baker, who lives opposite the crash scene, says many motorists still drive too fast.

Nottingham's match against Loughborough Students this weekend has been cancelled as a mark of respect.