THE victim of a fatal car crash in Neath has been named as Wales rugby international Elli Norkett.

The former Sir Thomas Picton School student died in a two-car collision on the A4109 at around 7.40pm on Saturday.

Miss Norkett, 20, who also attended Mary Immaculate School in Haverfordwest, was in her last year of a sport development degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Tributes have been paid to the student.

In a statement, her family said: “Elli Norkett was a kind hearted and caring 20 year old final year student at Cardiff Met University, studying sport development.

“In 2013 she was the youngest player in the Rugby World Cup and had gained four Welsh senior caps at the age of 17.

“Elli also represented Wales at Sevens and was selected for the Great Britain Students Sevens.

“On the club front she was proud to represent Swansea Ladies and the Ospreys.

“At Cardiff Met she played in two BUCS finals at Twickenham and wanted to pursue a career in coaching the game she loved.

“Elli was loved and valued by many and has touched the hearts of all her family and friends due to her kind nature and endearing personality.

“The family wish to be allowed to grieve in peace at this extremely distressing time.”

Ospreys, where Miss Norkett worked as a communities coach, said she was a “role model to the next generation”.

In a statement, Ospreys said: “A proud Osprey, rugby was her life and she was immensely proud to represent Swansea Ladies, Ospreys Women, Wales Women and Wales Sevens, as well as Cardiff Met University and Great Britain Students Sevens.

“At just 20-years old, she had her whole life in front of her.

"Not only was she a talented rugby player she was a good human being, probably the most important thing about her.

“As an Ospreys in the Community coach, who as recently as last week was working with us as part of the team leading our half-term kids camps at Llandarcy Academy of Sport, she was also a role model to the next generation, an inspiration to boys and girls of all ages who enjoyed being instructed by an Osprey and a Welsh international.

“Her greatest legacy will be in those youngsters who continue to enjoy the game of rugby having been fortunate enough to be coached by her on one of our camps.

“The thoughts of everybody at Ospreys Rugby are with the family and friends of Elli at this sad time.”

South Wales Police is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the collision in which two others sustained non-life threatening injuries.