French rugby mourns death of fourth young player in last eight months

French rugby has witnessed their fourth fatality in eight months after they were left mourning by the death of another young player last Sunday.

Nathan Soyeux, a 23-year-old student, is the latest causality as he passed away in Dijon after he was admitted in the hospital showing adverse reactions following a tackle during game for engineering schools.

Initially Soyeux was able to sit up but complained of nausea and then went unconscious following which he was rushed to the Dijon hospital. He was induced in a coma stage for two weeks but according to reports to AFP, Soyeux's health condition deteriorated rapidly in an effort to bring him around.

The game in the country already witnessed three other deaths including 17-year-old Adrien Descrulhes, who passed away in May after taking a hit on the head and in August, 21-year-old Louis Fajfrowski succumbed to death after being on the receiving end of a dangerous tackle.

Stade Francais youth flanker Nicolas Chauvin also suffered a similar fate in December when he broke his neck.

Earlier in December following the death of Chauvin, France's Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu urged the game authorities to make the sport a safer one.

The French rugby federation has announced to plan a forum alongside World Rugby in March to discuss the laws of the game related to player's heath.