British & Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton has spoken of his devastation after Cardiff Blues and Wales team-mate Owen Williams was injured in a tournament in Singapore.
The 22-year-old suffered a significant injury to his cervical vertebrae and spinal cord while playing for the Blues in the inaugural World Club 10s and has undergone surgery to stabilise the fracture.
And Warburton, who led the Lions in the first two Tests against Australia last summer, says the whole rugby community has its fingers crossed for the young centre.
"Everyone is devastated," Warburton said. "The training ground was not a very nice place to be on Monday when we found out. It was horrible because Owen is someone who I have been training with every day for the last four years.
"Physically, he was a specimen and an amazing athlete. We have our fingers crossed, and all the boys have sent personal messages already to his family out in Singapore. Hopefully, he knows all of our thoughts are with him.
"It's scary because it is not like it was a malicious tip-tackle or anything like that. It was a freak accident, and as a player it does make you wonder about prioritising the important things in life.
"It does worry you when it comes to playing rugby, but I am sure everyone is going through similar emotions."
