A HAMPSHIRE rugby ace has died at 38, only three days after a routine visit to his GP complaining of being unwell.

Today the funeral takes place of Paul McColgin, of Bridge Road, Bursledon, who died in Southampton General Hospital after contracting pneumonia.

His widow paid tribute to the man she called her "gentle giant".

In his rugby union heyday, Paul was regarded as one of the best prop forwards in the county. He even played a season with top London team Harlequins.

Paul died after a trip to the doctor's turned into a nightmare. He had told his local GP that he felt unwell and was advised to see a doctor if he felt any worse - and the following day he was admitted to hospital with pneumonia.

His condition deteriorated, and two days later he died, six days after celebrating his second wedding anniversary.

His widow Anna Marie spoke of the gentle and loving family man, a father to Laurie, whose dream had been to sail the boat he spent years refurbishing.

"He devoted his life to his three passions - rugby, sailing and his family," she said.

"He played most of his rugby at Trojans Rugby Club at Eastleigh, starting in the junior side when he was 13 or 14. It was where his heart was."

It was soon apparent that the blond-haired young man had a talent for his sport. By 16 he was in the men's first team, and his career really took off in 1990 when he was selected to play for Harlequins.

"When he spent his season at Quins he was 6ft and 18 stone of solid muscle," Anna Marie said.

Ex-coach and fellow Trojans player Stuart Good said yesterday: "Paul was an incredibly strong, quick and fit prop.

"He was also a lovely bloke who was very popular at the club, and he was a good friend."

A spokesman for Harlequins said: "The club sends its condolences to the family."

Paul's other love was for boats. After leaving school at 16, he quickly joined his father in the family business, running Cabin Boat Yard in Bursledon.

Before long, Paul had established himself as one of the best boat handlers in the area, delivering yachts and motorboats all over the world.

He may have been ruthless with a rugby ball in hand, but at home Paul was a loving and caring family man, doting on wife Anna Marie, daughter Laurie, 14, and beloved Jack Russell Flossy.

"He was so soft and gentle, and he had a really strange sense of humour," Anna Marie said.

In his spare time, Paul worked on refurbishing his steel trawler, with his dream being to sail it out into the Solent. The boat was nearing completion.

"The maiden voyage of the boat will be to take Paul's ashes out to sea," Anna Marie said.

In 2004 Paul and Anna Marie were married - but it was no conventional wedding. Anna explained: "We were married in the Dan Yr Ogof caves in the Brecon Beacons in South Wales."

A funeral service will be held today at Southampton Crematorium's East Chapel at 10.20am.

Following the service, a celebration of Paul's life will be held at Trojans Rugby Club.