A rugby player was taken to hospital after being injured in a scrum during a match in Highley.

John Pope, 40, who plays for Highley Rugby Club, suffered severe bruising to his neck and a cracked rib during the match against Chaddesley on Saturday afternoon.

Highley First Responders were called to Highley’s Severn Centre 15 minutes into the game and took Mr Pope to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.

Club manager Dave Morris said Mr Pope spent Saturday night in hospital as a precaution due to the swelling of his neck, but was released on Sunday.

He said the first words John said to his wife were to ask whether he would be able to play rugby again.

He added: “John, who is a prop forward, was injured in a collapsed scrum about 15 minutes into the game. He got severe bruising across his neck and a cracked rib. He will be out of action for about five to eight weeks.

“There are no fractures or anything to his neck. Once the pitch was cleared the game was finished off. The final score was 29-0 to Chaddesley, but it was a very good performance by ourselves. The players’ rep has been in contact with John’s family, and he will be looked after in the family of the club.”

An ambulance spokesman said: “It was a suspected neck and shoulder injury sustained from playing rugby.”