A HASLEMERE schoolboy died tragically on Sunday after collapsing during a rugby match in which he was playing for Haslemere Community Rugby Club.

Sebastian English, 15, from the Kingsley Green area of Haslemere, had been playing for the Haslemere Rugby Academy's under-16 side against Camberley when tragedy struck.

Sebastian collapsed just five minutes into the game at Camberley, as he jogged to retrieve the ball from the touchline.

As horrified players and parents looked on, Sebastian received first aid from a doctor in the crowd.

An ambulance was called when it was realised that Sebastian had stopped breathing, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at Frimley Park Hospital.

Sebastian was in his third year at Lord Wandsworth College in Long Sutton, Hampshire, having joined the school at 13 from a local prep school.

The school has a famous pedigree in the game of rugby, being the former school of England World Cup hero, Jonny Wilkinson.

Lord Wandsworth's headteacher, Ian Power, said that the school was in shock, and was "devastated" at the news.

Speaking on Monday, he said: "Sebastian was a delightful, bright boy. He was due to take his GCSE exams this summer and he was expected to do well.

"He was a great sportsman and a really popular young man. It's just a tragedy.

"The school is on half-term at the moment, but staff can't believe what has happened and I'm sure the whole school will be facing a very difficult few days, if not weeks, when the pupils return.

"Some of the boys have already come into school to write notes of condolence and to bring flowers.

"Five or six boys, who play for the same club side, witnessed the incident. It was a very close- knit group. All the boys were in the same house at school, and it will be very hard for them.

"I have spoken to the college chaplain and we will be making arrangements to mark Sebastian's death when we return next week.

"We are trying to come to terms with this ourselves, so it's hard to imagine how the family are coping at the moment.

"Sebastian was a very good rugby player who had a bright future ahead of him. He was full of life and a great all-rounder.

"His death is not thought to be related to the game. According to a parent who was there at the time, he went to pick up the ball and collapsed. There will be a coroner's report."

Sebastian's family, devastated by his death, have asked not to be approached by the press for comment. They have also requested that no pictures of Sebastian be printed.

A statement issued by the Haslemere Community Rugby Club said: "Sebastian had only recently joined the club, but was a regular player for his school.

"The club offers its deepest condolences to Sebastian's family at this sudden and tragic loss of a popular and talented young man."

The honorary secretary of the club, Malcolm Caird, added: "The game was only five minutes old when Seb collapsed.

"He was playing at full back and had hardly been involved in the match.

"It wasn't a rugby-related injury. There had been no bad tackles or collapsed scrums or anything like that. It could just as easily have happened walking down the street.

"There was a huge amount of help received from Camberley Rugby Club in trying to save Sebastian, and with the provision of two doctors on the scene, they couldn't have helped more."

The cause of Sebastian's death remains unclear, and an announcement on whether or not an inquest will take place is expected in the coming week.