(Photo: Getty Images)
By Adam Ellis
Doncaster Knights have announced prop Ian Williams has passed away, aged 27, after collapsing at the club’s Castle Park ground.
In a statement, the GreeneKing IPA Championship club confirmed: “It is with great sadness that Doncaster RFC announces the passing of prop forward Ian Williams. Ian collapsed at training at Castle Park this morning and, despite the best efforts of the emergency response team, could not be resuscitated.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to his mother Pippa, father Phillip and sister Helen and are working with a counselling team in the best interest of his team-mates.”
Williams played a part in Oxford University’s record run of six successive Varsity Cup victories, playing in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and also featured in the Welsh Varsity Cup match when representing Swansea University against Cardiff.
After stepping into professional rugby with Rotherham in life after higher education, Williams left the Titans last summer to join Doncaster and made six appearances this season.
Doncaster back row Michael Hills wrote on Twitter: “Such a tragic and heart-breaking day. We have lost a lovely guy and friend, my thoughts are with his family and anyone that knew him. He will always be remembered, Rest In Peace Ian xxx.”
Thoughts are with everyone @DoncasterKnight and the family and friends of Ian Williams.
— Joe Marler (@JoeMarler) February 20, 2018
It is with great sadness that @OURFCblues announces the passing of former Blue and current @DoncasterKnight prop Ian Williams.https://t.co/A7PmaDAqFY
— OURFC (@OURFCblues) February 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/SamsonEgerton/status/966240518056398849
