Welsh rugby union legend Keith Rowlands will be remembered this weekend with a minute's silence before Wales take on New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium.

Brithdir-born Rowlands, who died suddenly last Saturday with a suspected heart attack, was involved in rugby for more than five decades, captaining Cardiff to a win against Australia and gaining Wales and Lions honours, before becoming one of the game's most influential administrators.

After masterminding the development of the Rugby World Cup in the 1990s, he was appointed chief executive of the IRB, before becoming WRU President in 2004, a post he held until his death at the age of 70.

He collapsed at his home in Cardiff and died hours later, less than 24 hours after watching Wales triumph over Canada.

Before this Saturday's game, tributes will be paid to the former British Lion at a capacity Millennium Stadium, where the flags have been flying at half mast all week.

Former players and politicians paid tributes, led by Wales legend Gareth Edwards who remembered the man who took him under his wing at Cardiff RFC.

'He was club captain when I first arrived there as a 19-year-old and I remember the warmth and generosity of his welcome to the club,' said Edwards.

'He was the one person I remember more than anyone else who put his arm around me, took me into the dressing room and said, 'Come and meet the boys'.

'I played a few games with him, including the match where he broke his leg against London Welsh.

'He seemed to trip over a player on the ground and, although it looked innocuous, he broke his leg and that, unfortunately, curtailed his career.

'But I continued to be influenced by him because he was a committee man at Cardiff and I never lost sight of him as a rugby administrator.'

First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: 'Keith Rowlands was a giant of the Welsh rugby world in every sense. 'When he won his first cap for Wales he was probably the biggest man ever to put on a Welsh jersey.

'His contribution to the administration of the game was as big as his contribution on the field.

'What I will remember most is his kindness and courtesy to me and every other guest of the WRU at the Millennium Stadium, which was his pride and joy.'

WRU chairman David Pickering said: 'This is a huge blow for Welsh rugby and obviously a terrible tragedy for Keith's family.

'The thoughts of everyone involved in the game, in Wales and across the world, will be with his wife Jean, daughter Joanne and grandchildren.'

'He was a man of real stature, both as a player on the field for Cardiff, Wales and the British Lions and as an administrator with the WRU and the International Rugby Board.

'He will be sorely missed.'

Roger Lewis, WRU group chief executive, agreed that Welsh rugby had lost one of its all-time greats.

'Keith will leave a huge void at the top of the game in Wales,' he said.

'This was a man of integrity who commanded huge respect.'