A YOUNG rugby player with a history of concussions has died after suffering a head injury during a match.

Lily Partridge (23), a zookeeper and part-time teacher, collapsed by the side of the pitch after being injured at North Tawton’s ground on Sunday.

Her life-support machine was switched off 24-hours later at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Lily’s heartbroken parents Jeff and Liz and younger sister Lauren revealed she carried around two donor cards in her purse because she wanted to help others, even when she had gone.

Lily’s organs have been donated to help other people waiting on an increasingly long donor list.

The family, speaking from their Exeter home, said: "Hopefully one, two, three or more people will have a better quality of life thanks to Lily.

“She has given this gift of life to several people, which is the best present ever, especially at this time of year.

“She has given all her life with her love of animals and children and still gave even after her death.

“That was Lily all over, selfless. She picked up her first donor card when she was a pupil at Torquay Girls Grammar School and then another one at the Devon County Show.

“She crammed so much into her 23 years and we are so proud of everything she did.”

Lily worked as a zookeeper at Shaldon Wildlife Trust, as well as her part-time teaching role.

She was one of the first recruits at the Topsham-based Exonian Ladies rugby team and was the club’s social secretary.

Lily had played for the club for about 18 months.

Her club said she had suffered "a couple" of concussions previously, but had taken out the recommended time from playing and had consulted a doctor.

"She took a month off and was symptom free before she returned to playing," said Katie Lunnon, captain of the Topsham-based Exonian Ladies team.

The RFU is investigating the circumstances of the injury, which happened during the women’s development tournament.

Her parents added: "No-one ever had a bad word to say about Lily. She was the glue that stuck everyone together.

"She was stubborn and would say, ‘I can do this and I can do that’. She was her own person and that is what we loved about her.

"She broke down barriers. She was a brilliant star in our lives for 23 years."

Topsham Rugby Club called Ms Partridge a "talented, vivacious and universally-loved founding member of Exonian Ladies rugby team", adding that members were "utterly heartbroken".

Alan Quick