Monday 21 March 2016 10:24, UK
England forward Sam Burgess has been cleared of serious neck and spinal injuries, his club South Sydney have announced.
The 27-year-old was rushed to hospital after being involved in an accidental clash of heads with another Englishman, former Warrington prop Mike Cooper, in the 58th minute of the NRL match against St George Illawarra.
However, the Rabbitohs say MRI and CT scans have shown there is no damage to the vertebrae or spinal cord.
The Sydney club said Burgess would continue to be monitored for any muscle injury around the neck and spine region, as well as any neurological issues arising from the incident in Sunday's game, and he is expected to be released from hospital on Monday or Tuesday.
South Sydney head coach Michael Maguire said: "We're all very happy to know that Sam hasn't suffered any serious injuries from yesterday's game.
"I spoke to Sam and he feels very lucky and he wants to thank the medical staff from both the Rabbitohs and Dragons for their professionalism, the doctors and hospital staff who cared for him last night and this morning, as well as the members and fans for their support and kind words.
"We will continue to monitor Sam's welfare and he knows he is in the best of hands with our medical staff as we move forward."
The crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground fell silent as Burgess, who was playing only his third game back in rugby league following a nine-month stint in rugby union with Bath and England, lowered his head as he ran the ball up to a wall of Dragons defenders and, upon impact, immediately fell to the ground.
Burgess lay prone on the turf for several minutes as he was treated by medical personnel before being taken off on a stretcher and rushed to the nearby St Vincent's Hospital.
The player's mother Julie and close friend Russell Crowe, the Hollywood actor and Souths joint owner, were visibly distressed as they watched from the stands but Burgess later revealed on Twitter that he felt he was extremely lucky after hospital checks had not highlighted any significant damage.
He wrote: "Initial scan results are positive. Thank you all for messages of support - feeling extremely lucky tonight. A few days of rest now. Sam."
The Rabbitohs were trailing 8-6 at the time and no more points were scored following the incident.
