The family of a north Wales schoolboy who has had surgery to remove a kidney after being injured in a rugby match have spoken of their hopes of his return home for Christmas.

Michael Stubbs, 16, who plays for Ruthin rugby club, was injured after he was tackled during a match against visiting team Caldy at the weekend.

Michael is a dedicated and talented rugby player who represented north Wales to the highest level Austin Thomas Welsh Rugby Union

The promising young player was rushed to Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan where doctors performed an emergency operation to remove the damaged organ.

His father John, who is the fixture secretary for Ruthin Mini Rugby Club, said his condition is improving.

"Michael was injured during a rugby tackle but he is getting better.

"We phoned the hospital this morning and they said he'd had a reasonable night.

Michael Stubbs was taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital

"We are hoping to have him back home for Christmas," he said.

The youngster - who attends Ysgol Brynhyfryd in Ruthin - has been described as a talented rugby player with a high ranking future ahead of him.

Austin Thomas from the North Wales Welsh Rugby Union office said Michael was a big star on the local circuit.

"Michael is a dedicated and talented rugby player who represented north Wales to the highest level.

"It was only last Wednesday that he turned up for his testing to represent Wales in the under 16s squad," he said.

Other accident

A spokeswoman for Glan Clwyd Hospital said Michael was "doing well".

The north Wales accident is the latest incident to hit the sport.

Last week a former amateur rugby player, paralysed when a scrum collapsed, won a massive compensation payout from the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) in a landmark ruling.

Front-row Richard Vowles, 29, from Llanharan, south Wales, broke his back in a match playing for the village side in January 1998.

At the High Court in London, the WRU admitted responsibility for the match referee's failure to opt for uncontested scrums, which caused the collapse while Mr Vowles was playing hooker.

The level of damages has not yet been set.

Lawyers acting on behalf of the WRU and the referee may appeal against the decision.