Wales star's screams caught on ref mic after horror injury as team-mates left in shock
Wales international Kelsey Jones has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a 'significant' knee injury while playing for Gloucester-Hartpury.
The hooker - who missed much of the recent Women's Six Nations through injury - was in action for the Cherry & Whites against Loughborough Lightning when she sustained the horror injury midway through the first half.
As Loughborough looked to escape their own 22, the ball was lost forward and Jones pounced to seize it. However, she dived on the ball under pressure from prop Amelia Williams and fell awkwardly as her knee twisted under her.
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The seriousness of the injury was immediately apparent as Jones screamed out in pain with her cries for help picked up on the referee's microphone. Her team-mates were also left horrified by what had happened, with scrum-half Natasha Hunt covering her mouth in shock before coming to the 26-year-old's aid.
The game was brought to an immediate halt as Jones received treatment on the pitch before being stretchered off to applause from the crowd. Her team-mates did her proud in her absence, winning 61-26 to secure their 14th consecutive victory of the season and maintain their perfect Premiership record.
But the club have now issued an update on Jones after she underwent a scan and confirmed that she will miss the rest of the season. The 44-cap international has also been ruled out of Wales' crucial WXV play-off against Spain on June 29, but will now undergo rehabilitation with medical staff from Gloucester-Hartpury and the Welsh Rugby Union.
"Gloucester-Hartpury hooker, Kelsey Jones, has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a significant knee injury during the defending champions' Allianz PWR Round 15 fixture against Loughborough Lightning," the statement read.
"The 26-year-old Welsh International was stretchered off in the first half of last weekends' match at Franklin's Gardens. Gloucester-Hartpury's medical team will work with the WRU to support Jones as she recovers from her injury."
Head coach Sean Lynn added: “Kelsey’s injury is very unfortunate and we’re disappointed to lose someone of her quality from the squad. We know how hard Kelsey and the whole medical team will work to get her back to 100% and everyone at the club wishes her a speedy recovery.”