Bristol Bears hooker Harry Thacker was stretchered from the field after suffering a worrying neck injury during Saturday's Premiership Rugby Cup clash with Gloucester at Ashton Gate.
The 32-year-old went down in the 52nd minute following an incident during a maul, prompting an extended stoppage as medical staff treated him on the pitch. The game was delayed for around 10 minutes while he received treatment.
Stretchered off to an ovation
Thacker remained lying on the field as both sets of players waited. He was eventually carried from the field on a stretcher, receiving a warm ovation from supporters of both Bristol and Gloucester.
The former Leicester Tigers player gave the crowd a thumbs-up as he was taken away, with Tomas Gwilliam introduced as his replacement. The injury came after Thacker had already scored twice for Bristol during the match.
Bristol secure victory
Bristol went on to complete a thrilling 43-40 victory over Gloucester, securing an important win in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
The club later posted on social media: "We're all with you, Thacks." Supporters also sent messages of support to the experienced hooker, with fans hoping he had avoided a serious injury.
Reassuring update
Thacker subsequently provided a reassuring update himself on Instagram, posting a picture and joking about the initial fears surrounding his injury.
"Thanks for all the messages," he wrote. "All good here, weird, they were worried my spine had been severely compressed, I told them I've always been this tall."
