Richard Vowles suffered spinal injuries in the 1998 game.

The Welsh Rugby Union has been denied leave to appeal by the House of Lords against a compensation claim by a player paralysed by a match injury.

The decision comes four months after the Court of Appeal upheld a ruling that former Llanharan RFC hooker Richard Vowles had been a victim of the referee's negligence after a scrum collapsed and damaged his spine.

Mr Vowles, 29, was the subject of a landmark ruling last December when he won the right to massive compensation after taking his case to the High Court.

Rugby officials immediately lodged an appeal.

They warned that a compensation award could have serious consequences for amateur sport in the UK, as it could open the floodgates for claims in other contact sports.

The value of Mr Vowles' claim has yet to be determined and will be the subject of further investigation by both parties and it is currently too early to speculate about its potential value WRU statement

But after the Lord's decision, a WRU statement read: "Having also failed in the Court of Appeal, the WRU, whilst disappointed at the decision will abide by the judgement made by Mr Justice Morland in the case.

"The matter will be discussed at the meeting of the Union's new Board of Directors on Thursday, 7 August.

"The value of Mr Vowles' claim has yet to be determined and will be the subject of further investigation by both parties and it is currently too early to speculate about its potential value."

Mr Vowles, a former Commonwealth Games boxer, has needed round-the-clock care since his spine was damaged when a scrum collapsed in the final seconds of a local derby between Llanharan and Tondu five years ago.

His lawyers argued successfully that the referee - solicitor David Evans - broke the rules by allowing the scrum to be weakened by an inexperienced player.

The High Court heard that he did not ask whether Mr Vowles - who had expected to be a reserve front-row substitute - was trained to play at hooker.

On a muddy surface, the scrum collapsed, breaking Mr Vowles' spine.

Judge Mr Justice Morland said that Mr Evans' decision was in breach of his duty to take reasonable care for the safety of the front-row forwards.