Players' union's charity pledges financial support to injured Dragons player

The 28-year-old suffered the injury when he dived into a swimming pool.

Restart Rugby, the official charity of the Rugby Players' Association (RPA), says it will "assist Ed with the significant cost of the intensive rehabilitation that will be required".

Jackson is receiving treatment at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

He had emergency surgery at Southmead Hospital in Bristol after the accident at a friend's barbecue on 8 April.

The former Bath, Wasps, London Welsh and Doncaster Knights player has recovered some movement and is updating his friends and supporters on his progress on his Facebook page and his Instagram.

The RPA said in a statement it was saddened by the news of Jackson's injury and that it was committed to supporting its members.

"We have been wholly inspired by Ed's indomitable strength of character as he continues to make progress with his rehabilitation," the statement said.

Bath-born Jackson made 36 appearances for the Dragons after joining from Wasps in 2015 and signed a contract extension with the region in December, 2016.