RUGBY star Ceri Sweeney is being hailed a hero today after saving the life of his team-mate, Alix Popham, from Gwent, during a Wales test match.

The Newport Gwent Dragons star pulled Mr Popham's tongue out of his throat to prevent him swallowing it after the Wales number 8 took a knock to the head during the international against the Springboks. Wales lost the match 53-18.

Today, Mr Popham's girlfriend, Joanne Smith, 22, mother of their six-week-old daughter, Holly May, was waiting for him to fly home with the rest of the team.

She said that as soon as she knew what outside-half Sweeney had done for her boyfriend, she sent a text message to his girlfriend to pass on her thanks.

She said: "I think Alix needs to buy him a drink."

Ms Smith was watching the match at her parents' home in Newbridge with Mr Popham's mum and dad, Jackie and Ian, when the accident happened.

Ms Smith said: "I was so frightened but I was with my mum and dad and Alix's mum and dad.

"It is horrible to see anybody go down like that, but when it is somebody that close it is ten times worse. I am just glad he is OK."

The drama began in Pretoria on Saturday when Mr Popham stayed down on the ground after a tackle.

He had banged his head and was in danger of swallowing his tongue until Mr Sweeney ran over and pulled it out of his throat before the medics came on to the pitch.

Mr Sweeney also put his team-mate into the recovery position.

Ms Smith received a phone call from team-mate Deiniol Jones when he got off the pitch to let her know that Alix was OK.

She said: "I just can't wait to see him.

"I am really, really excited and am looking forward to spending time as a family."