Tributes paid to former Ospreys star Jerry Collins

Tributes have been paid to former Ospreys and All Blacks number eight Jerry Collins who was killed in a car crash in southern France overnight. His partner also died, whilst their baby daughter is critically ill in hospital.

The 34 year old played for the Welsh region between 2009 and 2011 and those who knew him described him as a great character who was one of the 'giants of the world game.'

Watch Nick Hartley's report:

Ospreys Rugby has paid tribute to former player Jerry Collins, describing him as a 'giant of the world game.

The 34-year-old former All Blacks captain and his partner, Alana Madill, died in a car crash in France this morning. Their young daughter, Ayla, is in a critical condition.

Collins signed for the Ospreys in 2009, helping the region to a third league title in his first season in Wales and being voted 'Players' Player of the Year.'

His final game was the Ospreys was in the PRO12 semi-final defeat in Munster in 2011. He'd most recently played for Narbonne.

Former Ospreys player and All Blacks captain Jerry Collins has been killed in a car crash in France.

The New Zealand ministry of foreign affairs confirmed that Collins and his partner Alana Madill died in an accident in the early hours of this morning on the A9 motorway in Herault, southern France.

Collins's three-month old daughter has been airlifted to hospital in a critical condition, it's also been reported by a French newspaper.

Collins was regarded by many as one of the toughest back row forwards ever to play for New Zealand, with 48 caps, 3 as captain.

He also played 56 times for the Ospreys between 2009 and 2011, scoring 6 tries and winning the Pro12 in 2010.

Many have been paying tribute to him on Twitter.