Danny Jones: Keighley Cougars half-back dies after cardiac arrest during league game

He was treated by the match doctor and paramedics at the ground in north London before being taken to the Royal Free Hospital

Danny Jones was in the Wales squad for the 2013 World Cup (Getty)

A Welsh international rugby league player has died after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest during a match.

Keighley Cougars half-back Danny Jones, 29, who was a father of five-month-old twins, collapsed after being replaced early in today's League 1 match at London Skolars.

He was treated by the match doctor and paramedics at the ground in north London before being taken to the Royal Free Hospital.

But the Rugby Football League (RFL) said tonight that despite extensive efforts to resuscitate him, Jones died at the hospital.

His club paid tribute to him in a statement posted on Twitter tonight, saying their thoughts were with his widow Liz and their children.

"Danny was much loved and highly respected by all at the club and in rugby league. He was the life and soul in the dressing room," they said.

"He achieved over 1,000 points and 150 appearances for Keighley Cougars and he will be sorely missed."

Jones was taken off after only four minutes of the match at the New River Stadium on White Hart Lane after apparently complaining of feeling unwell. An air ambulance was called and he was taken by road to the Royal Free and the game was abandoned.

A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We were called at 3.10pm today to an address on White Hart Lane.

"We sent a number of resources, including London's Air Ambulance and two ambulance crews to the scene.

"The patient - a man - was in cardiac arrest."

The RFL's chief operating officer, Ralph Rimmer, said: "It is always devastating when someone so young dies in these circumstances.

"Danny was a popular and talented rugby league player, having played at the highest level with the Wales national team and over 12 seasons for Keighley Cougars and Halifax."

"The rugby league community will mourn his loss and I wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Danny's family and friends at this incredibly sad time."

Jones, who was in his second spell with Keighley after also playing for Halifax, made his Wales debut against Italy in 2010 and won the last of his 12 caps in a World Cup group match against Cook Islands in Neath in November 2013.

Wigan forward Ben Flower, a team-mate during the 2013 World Cup, led the tributes.

Flower tweeted: "My thoughts are with Danny's family. Worst possible news. What a great man and even better friend. He will be missed so much. #RIPDannyJones."

Wales RL tweeted: "All at Wales #rugbyleague would like to send our condolences to the family and friends of Danny Jones after his sad passing today."

A spokesman for the players' association, League 13, said: "Our deepest sympathy and condolences go to the family of Danny Jones tonight."

PA