Around 1500 people have gathered in Narbonne to honour former All Black Jerry Collins who was killed in a car crash in the south of France on Friday.

Collins, 34, had been playing for the city’s rugby club in the French second division.

Former All Blacks Neemia Tialata and Chris Masoe, who had formally identified Collins’ body, were among those marching silently behind a giant image of the 48-Test All Black, his girlfriend Alana Madill and infant daughter Ayla.

Three-month-old Ayla remains in hospital in a serious condition.

A host of tributes have been paid to Collins since a bus crashed into his stationary car near Beziers and moves are afoot to honour him in New Zealand.