SCOTLAND rugby star Nick De Luca has cancelled his Twitter account after being made a hate figure by a group of fans.
The player, sin-binned in last weekend's match, took the decision to withdraw from the social networking site after receiving a torrent of abuse.
The messages, which included insults of a highly personal nature, were sent after Scotland were defeated by Wales.
Many disgusted supporters backed De Luca yesterday.
A campaign has also been launched on the site encouraging rugby fans to post messages of support.
Rugby Scotland, an unofficial account leading the campaign, is urging people to post: "I am a Scotland SUPPORTER #backingblue. Copy & tweet this if you are too."
Aberdeen rugby coach Kevin Wyness posted: "Nick De Luca was part of a brilliant performance.
"Don't listen to these scum NDL (Nick De Luca). True fans and supporters back you."
Fan Dougie Smith posted: "We are all disappointed with the result but to blame one guy is ridiculous."
Another supporter, Andy O'Donnell, said: "Personal attacks are not on."
De Luca, who also plays for Edinburgh, frustrated fans by being yellow-carded at a crucial stage on Sunday. While he was in the sin-bin, the Welsh team took control of the match.
A spokesman for the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) said De Luca wasn't available for comment but added the player's withdrawal from Twitter was "understandable" given the abuse.
The spokesman said: "We're sorry Nick felt it necessary to remove himself from Twitter but it's a personal decision which, given some of the unpleasant and personal comments, is entirely understandable."
Before quitting Twitter, De Luca had been regarded as one of the more entertaining contributors among rugby figures.
Asked why he did not sport any tattoos on his body, De Luca replied: "Because you don't put a bumper sticker on a Ferrari."
However, he is not the first player to become embroiled in a social networking storm.
Earlier this year, Scotland and Glasgow Warriors winger Rory Lamont was forced to apologise after describing Barack Obama as a "whore" on Twitter.
He used his account to make remarks about a number of politicians, including the United States president.
Lamont praised Republican Ron Paul, saying: "He doesn't work for Wall Street like that whore Obama."
The SRU called the language "inappropriate".
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