A RUGBY player who has made several appearances for Wellington Rugby Club will be sentenced for grievous bodily harm after attacking a rival player during a match.

Jack Richards, 27, has pleaded guilty and admitted to a serious attack on an opposing player in a rugby match between Wellington Chiefs RFC and Sherborne RFC in March last year.

Appearing before Weymouth Magistrates Court on February 21, Richards entered a guilty plea to the court after being arrested and charged for GBH. He is now set to be sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on March 22.

The attack, which took place at Sherborne’s ground in Dorset, resulted in Sherborne player Jamie Davidson being conveyed to hospital after suffering fractures to his face.

Reports at the time described the match as a “scrappy” affair, with Wellington being left to “lick their wounds” after a 23-17 defeat to the home side, with Wellington conceding in the face of what were said to be relentless attacks by Sherborne.

The assault, which took place in the first half of the game, is understood to have come after a fierce contest with Sherborne, who had emerged as the leaders shortly before the referee blew the half time whistle.

According to the Wellington RFC website, Richards, who plays as tight head prop for the first team, has made dozens of appearances for the club since the 2018/2019 season. Richards reportedly served as vice-captain of the team, before taking a break from the game as a result of injury.

He became a regular for the side after coming through the team’s youth set-up and was a regular in the side which won Western Counties West and promotion to South West One.

It is not clear if Richards remains on the team, but it is understood he has not played regularly for Wellington RFC since the assault of March 2023.

Richards, who lives in Exeter, is awaiting sentencing on unconditional bail.

Wellington RFC were approached for comment but could not be reached.

The chairman of Sherborne RFC declined to comment on the case.