THE stars of world rugby have said farewell to Soa Otuvaka, who died of a brain tumour aged 25.

Injured Newcastle Falcons and England fly half Jonny Wilkinson joined Soa's countryman Epi Taione and South Africa captain Mark Andrews to pay their respects to the father of two.

The players, who wore traditional Tongan ceremonial dress, joined Soa's friends and family for the funeral at St Nicholas' Cathedral, Newcastle.

Soa Otuvaka trained and played alongside Rob Andrew and Wilkinson at Newcastle Falcons before he was struck down with the tumour last year, only weeks after his wife Jenny, 27, gave birth to their youngest child, Lily.

Since his diagnosis, team-mates and friends worked to raise funds for his treatment and his family.

Wilkinson and former England skipper Martin Johnson are due to be reunited on the pitch one final time in his memory.

On Saturday, the Falcons will take on a Global Chiefs team, which is set to include some of the biggest names in both rugby union and rugby league.

Soa's childhood friend Epi Taione, who went to school with him in Tonga before they came to the region said: "We came over to the North-East originally just for a month as exchange students.

"He was a wonderful friend and I can't imagine him not being around. He will be sorely missed."