TWO promising young rugby players -- one the brother of former Great Britain star Shaun Edwards -- have been killed in a car crash in Bury.

Billy Joe Edwards, aged 19, and Craig Johnson, aged 18, both members of Wigan Warriors' under-21 side, died at the scene when the car in which they were travelling careered of control and crashed into a brick wall.

A two-minute silence was held for the players before Wigan Warriors' 82-3 Challenge Cup win over Halton Simms Cross at the JJB Stadium in Wigan yesterday.

Paul Johnson, Warriors' and Great Britain centre and brother of Craig, did not play. Billy Joe was the brother of 35-year-old league legend Shaun Edwards, the former Great Britain rugby league captain who is now coach of London Wasps.

The accident happened shortly after 12.30am yesterday as the two players -- who were killed instantly -- were in a Peugeot 106 car on Turton Road, Tottington.

Neighbours heard the crash and contacted the emergency services. Within minutes police, fire and ambulance crews were at the scene.

A police spokesman said the car careered off the road and crashed into a small roadside stone wall before overturning. The road was closed for six hours.

Both men died from multiple injuries. There was no one else in the car.

The death of the two young players has devastated Wigan Warriors rugby club.

Warriors coach, Stuart Raper, said last night: "It was a difficult day for the players but we'll get behind Paul, his family and the Edwards' and support them as much as we can."

Club chairman, Maurice Lindsay, led the tributes, saying: "Both of these lads were a delight. It's a tragedy and our first thoughts and condolences go to Mr and Mrs Edwards and the Johnson family."

Shaun Edwards told London Wasps director of rugby Warren Gatland of the tragedy but asked that his players should not be told until after their match against London Irish, which they won 35-11.

Mr Gatland said: "We are a very close club and when something like this happens it affects everybody. When I told the players after the game some of them were pretty emotional.

"It is a very sad time for all the family and from a club point of view we wish them all the best."

Both players were in the Wigan academy under-21's setup. Craig had returned to Wigan after a spell at Warrington. Billy Joe was involved in the club's Community Development Outreach Programme, campaigning against bullying.

A police spokesman said: "The car lost control, left the road on the near side then collided with the wall. One man was thrown from the car and the other was trapped and had to be cut free."

High speed is also thought to have played a factor in the collision, police said.

The spokesman added: "It is quite probable that speed may have played a factor in the tragedy."

A police accident and investigation team were called to the scene and an enquiry has been launched. More details are expected to be revealed today.

Police today appealed for witnesses to contact the traffic unit in Bury on 0161 856 8072 or Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555 111.