Welsh rugby captain suffers neck injury as referee steps in

Llandovery captain Jack Jones is recovering at home after sustaining a painful neck injury during his sides 34-13 victory over Cardiff in the Premiership play-off semi-final.

Jones was carrying the ball into contact but stayed down, which prompted concerned team-mates Dino Dallavalle and Chris Long to call the referee, Rhys Jones, who immediately blew his whistle shouting "stop the game, stop the game."

The Llandovery medical team, with assistance from Cardiff, raced on to the field to help Jones, who was eventually carried off the field on a stretcher after a lengthy stoppage.

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Jones was visibly in a lot of pain and Llandovery say he was taken to hospital as a precaution, having sustained a stinger which caused pins and needles in his arm. Jones underwent a scan in hospital which showed no fracture but there was nerve damage.

He was discharged from hospital at 2am on Sunday but Jones, who has been consistently outstanding for the Drovers over a number of seasons, is highly unlikely to figure in next weekend's Premiership final against Newport at Church Bank.

Llandovery took to social media to issue thanks to all of those who helped during the injury worry, writing on X: "Captain Jack Jones suffered a suspected neck injury in yesterday's game. Thanks to referee Rhys Jones quick intervention, our Med Team led by Dave alongside Ruth, Claire, Docs Aoife and Kieran. Diolch Cardiff RFC med also. JJ is well & on the mend, the only result that counts."

Llandovery finished top of the table in the Premiership but had to be at their best to beat Cardiff with a sensational individual try from rising Wales U20s star Macs Page sealing their place in the final while Ioan Hughes and Kian Abraham also touched down.