An inquest has opened into the death of a rugby player who died during a game in Wisbech. 

Arturas Rudys, 27, was playing for Wisbech Rugby Club during an Eastern Counties First Division game against Diss when he died on October 14.  

At the time, Eastern Counties rugby said the incident happened during “chest to chest” contact on the pitch as the player was competing for the ball.  

Despite receiving CPR at the scene, Mr Rudys did not survive.  

Elizabeth Gray, an area coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, opened an inquest into Mr Rudys’ death today (Thursday) at Lawrence Court, in Huntingdon.  

During the brief hearing, she explained the provisional cause of death likely resulted from blood entering the chest, a traumatic laceration to the heart and a sternal fracture. 

The inquest was then adjourned to a later date to be arranged.  

Following his death, Mr Rudys’ girlfriend and the mother of his then two-year-old child launched a Go Fund Me page which has raised over £30,000 for his family.  

The page is still open and accepting donations.  

Mr Rudys, who was originally from Lithuania, had been part of Wisbech Rugby Club community since 2013. 

In the club’s tribute to him, he was described as a “hugely valued and respected member”.