Injury 'not cause of rugby death'

Walker joined the Wakefield Wildcats from Salford City Reds

The death of a rugby league player last weekend was not caused by injury during the game, post mortem tests have shown.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats player Leon Walker, 20, died in hospital after collapsing in a reserve game against Celtic Crusaders at Maesteg on Sunday.

The Rugby Football League (RFL) said in a statement on Friday that no cause of death had yet been fully established.

But tests had shown "the death was not caused by trauma or injury sustained as a result of playing rugby league."

An inquest into Mr Walker's death has been opened and adjourned in south Wales.

A funeral service will take place at 1245 BST on Thursday 2 April at St Anthony's Church in Beeston, Leeds.

Meanwhile, the RFL has launched a full inquiry into the tragedy which it said was normal procedure following such a serious incident.

As a mark of respect, a game-wide minute's silence will be observed ahead of all this weekend's fixtures.

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