TRIBUTES have poured in for a talented young rugby player found dead at the bottom of cliffs in a Cornish resort.

Schoolboy Andrew Curwell, 18, was a former member of the academy side of rugby league club, the Leeds Rhinos. Staff at his school described him as “a giant of a man” who led the First XV “with dignity and strength”.

His body was found at the foot of cliffs at Great Western Beach in Newquay at 5am on Sunday.

The youngster, a pupil of Rishworth School near Halifax, West Yorkshire, was on holiday in the resort celebrating the completion of A-level exams with friends.

Police were unable to confirm the exact circumstances surrounding Andrew’s death but said it was not being treated as suspicious. He is thought to have been staying at a guest house near the scene.

Gilbert Gregory, Rishworth’s head of school, said: “Andrew was a pillar of our sixth form community. On the rugby field he led us with dignity and strength.

“He was a towering figure in all aspects of his life. He was a true giant of a man but also, over the years, a kind and thoughtful friend with a discreet and, at times, brilliantly funny sense of humour.

“I cannot overstate how much love and respect we all had for Andrew. He had about him an air of invincibility and would, I am certain, have fulfilled his potential to become a glittering success in all his endeavours.”

Richard Baker, the school’s headmaster, added: “Andrew was full of ability and promise, and as charmingly mild-mannered and engagingly soft-spoken around school as he was powerful and prodigiously talented in sport.”

The school said Andrew had a “modest and unassuming manner” despite his great achievements in rugby and his prestigious selection for the Leeds Rhinos academy side.

A spokesman for the club said Andrew joined the academy in 2007 as a second row having previously played at the Saddleworth amateur club in Oldham.

Head of youth development at the academy, Barrie McDermott, added: “This is tragic news and our sympathies go to Andy’s family and friends. Just three weeks ago he finished with our academy so he could concentrate on his studies and I know he was looking forward to going to university.”

Emergency crews from Devon and Cornwall Police, Falmouth Coastguard, Westcountry Ambulance Service and the Newquay Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team were all called to the scene in Newquay on Sunday.

All Leeds Rhinos’ teams in action this weekend will wear a black armband as a sign of respect to the young player.