West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Whitchurch Rugby Club in Edgeley Road, Moss Villa shortly after 5.05pm this afternoon.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “On arrival at the scene crews found a man who had become injured during a Rugby match.

“The man, believed to be in his 40’s, was treated at the scene for a back injury. He was fully immobilised and given pain relief at the scene before being airlifted to a specialist neurological centre at University Hospital of North Staffordshire for further assessment and treatment.

“The hospital was pre-alerted to the arrival of the man and of his injuries.”