Female rugby player dies after head injury

Lily Partridge had played for Exonian Ladies Rugby team for 18 months.

A female rugby player has died after collapsing with a head injury during a training session for an English county team.

Lily Partridge, a 23-year-old zookeeper, suffered the injury at North Tawton's ground in Devon on Sunday and was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Her family confirmed on Tuesday her life support was switched off.

Ms Partridge's parents Jeff and Liz said the "selfless" animal lover and teaching assistant was also an organ donor, and they hoped three or more people would benefit from her decision.

The 23-year-old played as hooker for the Exonian Ladies rugby team in Topsham.

Team captain Katie Lunnon said Ms Partridge had a history of concussions: "She took a month off and was symptom free before she returned to playing."

On her player profile, Ms Partridge wrote: "I have always loved rugby, playing and coaching tag when I was younger, but had never had an opportunity to play until Exonian Ladies was formed."

-AAP