An English rugby player resident in Rome was killed in a traffic accident in the Italian capital around midnight on Sunday 27 January.

Brendan Lynch, aged 26, was travelling on his scooter when he was struck by a vehicle whose driver fled the scene before the police arrived. An investigation has been opened into the fatal incident which occurred on the Grande Raccordo Anulare ringroad and some later reports are now saying that the driver may not have been aware of the accident.

A native of Rotherham in Yorkshire, Lynch leaves behind an impressive sporting legacy and was considered one of the best tighthead props in Italy's Serie A.

Before being selected last year for the Unione Rugby Capitolina Rome team, his career saw him play with Sardinian team Amatori Alghero, and West Harbour Pirates in Australia. He arrived in Rome in 2007 to play for S.S. Lazio Rugby, and before that he played in Gloucester and Belfast, as well as being selected for the Irish Under-19 squad during the 2005 World Cup in South Africa.

Described in rugby circles as "motivated with a strong work ethic", Lynch was a very popular figure among Rome's expat and rugby communities.